Laughing Buddha

Laughing Buddha is a very common name and entity all across the world from the last five years and its popularity has spread as and how the concept of Feng shui leaped the boundaries of China and spread all over. Feng Shui says that Laughing Buddha brings prosperity and abundance in the homes of people of people who have Laughing Buddha in their homes. The name is intriguing and there is a history behind this name, similarly there is a legend behind the appearance and clothes of laughing Buddha, There is also a rich historical background behind the Laughing Buddha, which we would discuss in this article.

Laughing Buddha: Name

It is called Laughing Buddha not only because of the way it looks but also because the attributes it symbolizes. Laughing Buddha, which is also known as "Hotei" or "Pu-tai" in Japanese stands for contenetment and satisfaction, therefore it is generally, depicted as a fat man with a paunch who is spreading the message of happiness through his wide and contagious laughter. Now let us come to the second part of the name, which is "Buddha". This figure is called Laughing "Buddha" because it is believed that he is one of the incarnations of Buddha who is called Bodhisattva Maitreya (this name means the Buddha of the future).

Laughing Buddha: Description

Laughing Buddha is often seen to be carrying a linen bag, which is, considered to be full of wealth, which would never be exhausted. It is filled with treasures like precious stones, food, and goodies for the children. Laughing Buddha would fulfill all our wishes and would take away all the pains and agonies of the world. The bag has all sources of happiness be it material goods as well as non-material like children which are also considered to be a source of happiness. Children are strongly associated with this figure, there are two representations, in one of them children are around him and in the other he is shown sitting in a cart which is being drawn by boys. In the latter he is shown as carrying a fan or to be precise a "wish-fulfillment fan" which was a common symbol for the Chinese aristocracy and it meant that the wishes of the subjects would be fulfilled. Laughing Buddha is often seen carrying a bowl, which is the mark of a Buddhist monk who was supposed to survive on alms.

Laughing Buddha: Beliefs

It is believed by the Chinese that some one thousand years back somebody like the Laughing Buddha actually existed. It is said that his name was Budai and he lived during the Liang Dynasty. He was Chan monk who was very generous and kind hearted. Laughing Buddha is considered to be one of the seven Gods by the Japanese and Taoists and Shintoists also revere him. It is said that if somebody rubs the belly of laughing Buddha, he or she would receive wealth and good fortune. Laughing Buddha brings great luck to restaurateurs and bartenders; therefore a statue of laughing Buddha is often kept at the entrance of hotels and restaurants.