| Laughing Buddha is a jovial incarnation of | | | | of aristocracy of the past the fan was believed to |
| ‘Maitreya Buddha’, who is deemed to be the | | | | fulfill the wishes of those who carried them. Some |
| successor of ‘Gautama Buddha’ according to | | | | ‘Budai’ statues with small children in his feet |
| the Buddhist or Shinto culture. | | | | represent his fondness and love for the children. |
| There goes a belief in the Chinese mythology that an | | | | Budai’ holding a begging bowl in his hand portray |
| image of smiling Buddha can bring forth good luck, | | | | the typical Buddhist quality of renouncing material |
| success, happiness, fulfillment, prosperity and wealth. | | | | possessions. The century old figure of the Buddhist |
| This belief has motivated not only the Chinese but | | | | religion has now been intermingled with the Chinese |
| also people of all communities to keep laughing | | | | ideals of life and happiness that has completely |
| Buddha idols where they reside. A deity of the | | | | changed the previous Buddhist ideals and values. |
| Buddhist monastery now has become a universal | | | | Today happiness has become synonymous to |
| figure of admiration and worship. | | | | material riches. Hence the modern laughing Buddha |
| The idea of Laughing Buddha originates from the later | | | | has become the revered god of material plentitude |
| beliefs of the Buddhists that good life and | | | | and good fortune in life. |
| contentment can be attained in this living world. It | | | | The images of laughing Buddha have become |
| can be acquired through simple lifestyle, purposeful | | | | impressive elements of interior decoration. They |
| endeavors, benevolence and enlightenment of | | | | make for exquisite residential and business decors as |
| knowledge. Termed as ‘Budai’ in Chinese and | | | | well as a potential power to bring in prosperity and |
| ‘Budai Luohan’ in Japanese this pot bellied | | | | wealth in life. The smiling figures are also positioned in |
| bald figure with a smiling face is linked to a roving | | | | the study table of the students to ensure success in |
| ‘Chan’ monk who existed in the time of | | | | exams. A wide array of statuettes depicting Buddha |
| Liang Dynasty in China. | | | | smiling makes brisk sales in the domestic and |
| The monk dressed in a cloth-bag that is known as | | | | International market. |
| ‘pu-tai’ in Chinese and ‘Hotei’ in | | | | The figures curved out of fine wood, metals or |
| Japanese. Hence the local folks used to call him | | | | stones are the most sought after decorative items |
| ‘Pu-tai Hoshang’ or ‘hemp-bag | | | | of the day. They are placed in any direction facing |
| monk’. The legends say that the monk carried | | | | the main entrance of the home or office. The new |
| cute gifts for the children in his linen sack. | | | | age people are in the aspiration of acquiring huge |
| The Buddhist shrines grace the statue of | | | | financial gains and flourish in their lives by rubbing the |
| ‘Budai’ in the entranceway. With an impish | | | | belly of this traditional Buddhist craft. |
| grin and a protruded tummy the robust monk is | | | | For further information on laughing Buddha browse |
| found in various poses. He is seated on an elaborately | | | | other links of Explore interesting information on |
| inlaid pedestal or a cart drawn by children. Sometimes | | | | smiling Buddha and find impressive collection of crafts |
| he is seen waving a hand fan ‘ogi’. A symbol | | | | on the same. |