Laughing Buddha

Usually when people refer to ‘The Buddha’ they are speaking of Siddhartha Gautama, an Indian prince who became the founder of Buddhism in 520 B.C.E.

Interestingly, however, the Laughing Buddha is not the same as Siddhartha Gautama. Rather, the character is thought to be based on an historical Chinese Buddhist monk who lived more than 1,000 years ago. Despite the fact that the Laughing Buddha is not the Gautama Buddha, there still is a link between these two Buddhas as some strings of Buddhism regard the Laughing Buddha as an earlier incarnation of the Maitreya Buddha who is predicted to succeed Siddhartha Gautama to become the next Buddha in a future age.

The celestial Buddha named Hotei or Pu-Tai is best known as the jolly Laughing Buddha. In China, he is known as the loving or friendly one. He is based on an eccentric Chinese Ch’an (Zen) monk who lived over 1,000 years and has become a significant part of Buddhist and Shinto culture. Because of this monk’s kind and generous nature, he came to be regarded as an incarnation of Bodhisttava who will be Maitreya (the future Buddha). His large protruding stomach and jolly smile have given him a common designation ‘Laughing Buddha’. One can always see him carrying a sac, which is always filled with some precious things. He’s patron of weak, poor and children. According to a legend, if one rub’s the belly of Laughing Buddha, it brings forth wealth, good luck and prosperity. Hotei is also referred to as the patron saint of restaurateurs, fortunetellers and bartenders. When one over eats or over drinks, friends jokingly attribute it to the Laughing Buddha’s influence. Images of Laughing Buddha can be seen gracing various amulets, temples and restaurants. The kind and generous Buddha is also regarded as deity of abundance and contentment.  It is also a commonly held belief that the Laughing Buddha figurine can absorb negative energy and emanate positive energy

Purchasing a Laughing Buddha statue, experts agree that due care must be given to the placement of the statue in your home or business.
According to Feng Shui theory, for instance, the ideal placement for the Laughing Buddha statue in your home is directly opposite the main door in the living room. This way, the Buddha will be the first thing a person sees as he enters his house. Additionally, it is said that the Laughing Buddha should be positioned on an elevated surface, since placing it directly on the ground would be considered a sign of disrespect.