Laughing Buddha
The Laughing Buddha is Budai, a Chinese monk, not the historical Buddha.
Three things to know before he comes home
He was a real monk
Tradition names him Qici, a wandering monk from around Fenghua, Zhejiang, who carried everything in a sack. Budai means cloth sack.
Seen as Maitreya
People came to see him as a form of Maitreya, the Buddha to come. Many Chinese temples seat him in the entrance hall.
Give him a good spot
By custom, set him at table height or higher, facing the room. Keep him clean, off the floor and out of bathrooms.
A big belly holds what the world finds hard to hold.
What to look for
He is a revered figure to many people. Treat the statue with care. It is a blessing by custom, not a promise of wealth.
Laughing Buddha
Hand-picked pieces are on the way.
Good to know
Is the Laughing Buddha the real Buddha?
No. He is Budai, a Chinese monk of the 10th century, later honored as a form of Maitreya. The historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, lived in ancient India and is usually shown slim and serene.
Where should a Laughing Buddha be placed at home?
By custom, in the living room, at table height or higher, often facing the front door. People avoid the floor, bathroom and kitchen, and many treat him like an honored guest.
Does rubbing a Laughing Buddha's belly bring luck?
People say so, but it is a friendly custom, not Buddhist teaching, and nothing is promised. In a temple, look around first and follow what others do.
