Puntogf Antiques.

Laughing Buddha

"Fat Buddha" Really a 10th Century Chinese Monk

More commonly known as the Happy Buddha or Laughing Buddha, Hotei was a monk of the T'ang Dynasty, recognized for the sack of candy he carried and shared with small children.  He is a figure of Chinese folklore, and one of the Seven Gods of Fortune representing abundance and good health.  He is also thought to be a bodhisattva, one who has dedicated himself to the path of enlightenment like Buddha, or a Maitreya, a future Buddha-like figure who will appear on Earth, achieve enlightenment and teach the Dharma.

The true Buddha began his path to enlightenment after seeing a infirm old man begging and learned of suffering and decided to embrace asceticism. His journey of contemplation eventually brought him to a sacred fig tree where he paused in meditation.  It was there that he attained Bodhi, a perfect state of illumination. From that moment forward, he was Buddha who took to the countryside and preached for 44 years what was to become one of the primary religions of the world until his death at age 80.

Laughing Buddha statues are frequent Asian decor accent found in business and restaurants because he is the deity of contentment and prosperity. This Buddhist icon is most often seen with a sack in tow, filled with candy for children and gifts of food for the less fortunate. Much like Catholicism's St. Nicholas, Hotai is the patron saint of children, the suffering and the downtrodden.

A laughing Buddha statue portrays a corpulent, bald man whose ample gut can be seen through his sagging robes. While Ho Tai could definitely benefit from a few stomach crunches, his ample belly is symbolic of good luck and wealth. Along with his jolly middle and pleasant smile the Ho  Tai nearly always carries bent, wooden walking stick in one hand and his bag of goodies in the other. The Happy Buddha is most often portrayed as a statue in either a reclined, standing or sitting position. The reclined position most likely originates from the "sleeping Buddha position," one that reflects the Buddha's last moments on Earth before he was delivered to Nirvana.

Most often, the happy Buddha Statues are displayed in the home as a talisman of plenitude. Many Ho Tai statues portray the cheerful patron holding gold ingots in his hands while sitting atop a mountain of gold coins. It's also not unusual to see the Buddha sitting atop a Dragon throne. The Dragon is a icon of security and virility in Asian culture. Other symbolic elements often seen in sculptures and statues of the happy Buddha include a rosary necklace symbolic of prayer, a pauper's bowl representing the laughing Buddha’s lack of worldly possessions or an oogi. The oogi is a Chinese "wish giving" fan used in the past by Chinese aristocracy as an affectation to guarantee that their wishes would be granted.

In western culture, the happy Buddha is thought of as  the fat Buddha. As a chubby, smiling man who often travels sharing candies and presents to children, Ho Tai most closely matches what Westerners think of as Jolly St. Nick. However, his offerings and blessings can be enjoyed all year. Many believe if you rub the belly of a happy Buddha you are sure to enjoy good fortune and financial success.

Happy Buddha is also considered a patron of restaurateurs and bartenders and is often seen in Chinese and Japanese restaurants. Overindulgence in food and drink are often credited to the influence of the laughing Buddha.

About the Author

Intestested in a Laughing Buddha Statue or planning to add a bit of Asian Decor to your home?  Check out the unique selection of Buddha statues and oriental furnishings at Big Buddha Statue.  Rob Mabry is one of the owners of Big Buddha Statue and the author of this and many other articles on ancient culture.

The Laughing Buddha Of Tofukuji $12.65 The Laughing Buddha Of Tofukuji

Laughing Buddha $59.95 Place laughing Buddha, admired for his happiness, in home or garden! It's believed that rubbing his stomach brings wealth, good luck, and prosperity. Resin. 16" tall.

Soapstone sculpture, 'Laughing Buddha' $84.95 Lord Buddha is mirthful as he throws back his head and laughs out loud. The laughing Buddha represents prosperity, happiness and longevity; many believe that rubbing his belly will bring good luck and fortune. Gulam Rasool presents this delightful image carved from soapstone.

Wood statuette, 'Laughing Buddha' $54.95 Lord Buddha is mirthful as he throws back his head and laughs out loud. The laughing Buddha represents prosperity, happiness and longevity; many believe that rubbing his belly will bring good luck and fortune. Suresh Garg presents this delightful image carved from warm blonde kadam wood.

Pugster Laughing Buddha $10.88 Stay a step ahead the latest wave of European bead Italian charm fashion jewelry. This exquisite beaded Pugster laughing Buddha pattern European bead Italian charm dazzles with individual beauty. The humble Italian charm and simple elegance of this European bead Italian charm is an unforgettable and alluring piece of accessory. This interchangeable Pugster laughing Buddha pattern European bead Italian charm is the perfect gift for any occasion. It is also a great addition to your European bead Italian charm bracelet or necklace. Crafted and authenticated by Pugster, the laughing Buddha pattern European bead Italian charm measure an easy length of ~9.66mm, width of ~8.72, height of ~13.27 and weight of ~3.4g. Crafted and authenticated by Pugster Inc, it is available for both retail and wholesale purchase through our store. This bead fits Pandora/troll/chamilia Bracelet.

Buddha Laughing $4.45 A collection of 85 cartoons from Tricycle: the Buddhist Review. Roz Chast, Ed Subitsky and others give a humorous slant on Americans' interest in Eastern thought.

Laughing Buddha, Tanzhe Temple, Beijing, China, Asia $19.99 Jochen Schlenker Laughing Buddha, Tanzhe Temple, Beijing, China, Asia - Photographic Print

Wood sculpture, 'Laughing Buddha' $154.95 Buddha appears with a hearty laugh as an acacia wood seedling parts in half. The sculpture by Wayan Agus Satya Putra seems to possess the power to make everyone smile just by looking at it. In China they know him as Budai, a monk believed to be Lord Buddha's reincarnation given their similarity. He is admired for the sense of happiness, plenitude, and wisdom of contentment that he exudes.

Wood sculpture, 'Antiqued Laughing Buddha' $94.95 Bali's Wayan Agus Satya Putra sculpts a vivid representation of the laughing Buddha which he treats to appear like an antique treasure. The sculpture is carved by hand from acacia wood featuring subtle cracks and color details including golden accents painted with acrylics. In China they know him as Budai, a monk believed to be Lord Buddha's reincarnation given their similarity. He is admired for the sense of happiness, plenitude, and wisdom of contentment that he exudes. Putra sets the sculpture on an iron rod and suar wood stand.

Rub for Luck Laughing Buddha Briefs for men $13.5 These briefs for men feature a laughing Buddha along with the words 'Rub For Luck'. 95% cotton 5% lycra fabric helps keep fitted shape. No fly.

Borgioni Laughing Buddha and Yellow Brass Beaded Bracelet $3700 14k green gold, black diamond laughing Buddha on yellow brass beaded bracelet with Sanskrit protection prayer inscription This laughing Buddha is bound to make you happy. Not only will this little man bring you happiness, but the Sanskrit beads will protect you with its protection prayer. Handmade .35 cts. black diamonds With the presence of buddha comes kindness, compassion and love Made in United States

Rub for Luck Laughing Buddha Boxer Briefs for men $13.5 Wanna get lucky? These boxer briefs for men feature a laughing Buddha along with the words 'Rub For Luck'. 95% cotton 5% lycra fabric helps keep fitted shape. No fly.

Carnelian and agate pendant necklace, 'Laughing Buddha' $45.49 Believed to bring good fortunes, a laughing Buddha centers a carnelian necklace designed by Shubhra Singh. The enhanced agate pendant is carved by hand with extraordinary detail. .925 Sterling silver clasp

Golden Statue of a Reclining Laughing Buddha, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China $24.99 Kober Christian Golden Statue of a Reclining Laughing Buddha, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China - Photographic Print

The Laughing Buddha of Tofuku-ji $9.99 Whether you have known Keido Fukushima for decades or are encountering him for the first time through the pages of this intimate portrait, we all have the pleasure of meeting him as if he were an old and dear friend. Samples of his calligraphy provide further glimpses into the heart and mind of a leading Zen master of the modern world. Roshi Fukushima, as the Japanese Zen master is called, is generally sparing with personal details of his life. Even old friends of his, however, will be surprised by some of the revelations Professor Ishwar Harris has managed to uncover and share with us in this volume. Through these intimate details the reader can feel the pulse of a Zen master as a flesh-and-blood human being. We can see into the heart of a man who happens to be a Zen master. This approach provides an extraordinary occasion to come into touch with Zen Buddhism through one modern master's life, love, and laughter. The Zen Buddhist tradition, as Professor Harris mentions, is said to begin with the selfless smile of Buddha's disciple Mahakasyapa. Zen springs to life when we share the joy of this "open secret." See if you don't find yourself breaking into a broad smile and beaming with delight every now and then as you read through this account.

Laughing $10 Laughing

Wood sculpture, 'Antiqued Laughing Buddha with Pebbles' $264.95 Wayan Agus Satya Putra creates the illusion of a recently unearthed sculpture of the ebullient laughing Buddha. He is standing with his arms in the air and holding pebbles in his hands to symbolize balance in life. In China they know him as Budai, a monk believed to be Lord Buddha's reincarnation given their similarity. He is believed to augur happiness, generosity and wealth. Putra carves the acacia wood sculpture by hand and gives it an aged finish with acrylic paints.

Laughing Buddha Weeping Sufi / Poems $14.63 No Synopsis Available

Handcrafted Brass Laughing Buddha on Chair Sculpture (India) $61.99 Decorate your home with the beauty of this small handcrafted brass sculpture. Made by artisans in India, this sculpture depicts a laughing Buddha on a chair with an umbrella.Product Features:Colors: BrassMaterials: BrassDimensions: 6.5 inches high x 4 inches wide x 3.8 inches deep Story Behind the Art:The tradition of wood carving has existed in India since ancient times. India has always been recognized for its rich and vibrant traditions. The artisans that create these products come from numerous regions of India including Assam, Kashmir and Gujarat, and have independently developed their own skills over thousands of years and countless generations. Each region is influenced not only by local traditions, but also by locally available wood varieties such as, kadamba, rosewood, and teak. These various raw materials, influence the intricacies and details of these beautiful carvings.The unique brass pieces come from craftsmen and craftswomen from southern India. These artisans have been perfecting the art of 'cire perdue' or the lost wax method of brass casting for generations. Each handcrafted sculpture is created to bring a sense of serenity for its beauty and craftsmanship.What is Worldstock?The handcrafted touch of artisan skill creates variations in color, size and design. If buying two of the same item, slight differences should be expected. Note: Color discrepancies may occur between this product and your computer screen.ImportedShips Carbon Neutral*

Buddha $10 Buddha

A Buddha $10 A Buddha

Bone Buddha Bracelet $88 Remember the divine power of joy with the bone buddha bracelet. Smooth white beads of bone surround a laughing resin buddha in coral, aqua and red. An exuberantly bright tassel of yellow or red silk tops the design.

Wood statuette, 'Buddha's Laughter' $252.95 Inviting complicity with his splendid good humor, Buddha throws back his head and laughs out loud. Mirth radiates from this beautiful sculpture by Wayan Rendah. In Bali, the laughing Buddha represents prosperity, happiness and longevity.

Laughing Buddha