Who is the Laughing Buddha and What is the Belief Behind Keeping Him in Our Homes and Offices?

The laughing Buddha is considered a symbol of prosperity, contentment, and happiness. According to Feng Shui, placing several of these figurines around the house fills the space with positive energy and happiness. As a good luck charm, the laughing buddha is frequently found in homes, offices, restaurants, and other such places where people intend to fill the air with positivity. Let us try and find out all about the laughing buddha, including his origins, beliefs, stories, and practical tips on how you can fill your living space with vibrant, positive energy.

What does a Laughing Buddha mean?

As we all know the laughing buddha statue depicts a stout, pot-bellied man with a contented smile on his face. It is considered a symbol of good luck, happiness, and plentitude. Hence, he is popular as little figurines and amulets that people can easily carry home. Closer observation shows that the most popular form of the laughing Buddha is always carrying a cloth bag that is filled with many precious items such as food, candies for children, and other riches. The laughing Buddha also comes in different forms, which are meant to compound luck, wealth, prosperity, happiness, family bondage, and other necessities of human life.

History of the laughing Buddha

The person in the laughing Buddha images and statues is ‘Budai,’ an eccentric Zen monk from China who is thought to have lived around 907 to 923 AD, during the later Liang dynasty. He was a man of a good and loving character, and some Buddhist traditions considered him the ‘Bodhisattva Maitreya’ or the future Buddha. He was pot-bellied, bald, and had a jolly smile on his face all the time, which earned him the name “laughing Buddha.”

Meaning of the laughing Buddha

The laughing Buddha (Budai) is regarded as the highest representation of happiness and one who takes away all the misery and brings good fortune. The laughing buddha is distinct from the representation of Gautama Buddha from the teachings from which Buddhism was derived. Budai was considered to be the incarnation of the “Bodhisattva Maitreya,” meaning the one who is yet to become enlightened Buddha. The Bodhisattva Maitreya has the task of appearing on Earth to teach the pure dharma. This Buddha is always represented carrying a cloth bag or linen sack with a never-ending supply of health, joy, and wealth.

Laughing Buddha’s real name

According to the laughing buddha story in Chinese traditions, the Zen monk was known as ‘Budai.’ His Buddhist name was Qieci (Pinyin in Chinese). He was a native of Fenghua and lived during the Liang dynasty around 907 to 923 AD.

Why is Laughing Buddha Lucky?

The laughing Buddha is symbolic of Budai- the bodhisattva Maitreya (the future Buddha). People for a long time have believed that rubbing the belly of the statue will bring them good luck, health, wealth, and prosperity.

Laughing Buddha in real life

Chinese temples have statues of laughing Buddha located at temple entrances. The Lingyin temple in Hangchou has a massive 24.6 meter laughing Buddha statue carved out of camphor wood. Covered with 60 taels of gold, it is the largest wooden statue in China. The more commonly found laughing Buddha is often made out of clay, wood, marble, stone, and Jade materials.