The Laughing Buddha

The Laughing Buddha

The Laughing Buddha is one of the most popular symbols used by Feng Shui Consultants for enhancing the good luck and wealth. Laughing Buddha is also known as Happy Buddha or Matreiya. This Buddha is regarded as one of the gods of wealth and keeping this symbol at home is said to bring prosperity, happiness and success. Keeping this figurine at the place of business is said to enhance business and money luck. Laughing Buddha absorbs negative Chi and emanates positive energies. This is a very auspicious symbol and can be seen gracing many homes, temples, restaurants and vehicle dash boards. This is an excellent gift item for a loved one.


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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 ago and has become a significant part of Buddhist and Shinto culture. Because of this monk's benevolent nature, he came to be regarded as an incarnation of the bodhisattva who will be Maitreya (the Future Buddha). His large protruding stomach and jolly smile have given him the common designation "Laughing Buddha."

The Laughing Buddha's image graces many temples, restaurants, and amulets, as he has become a deity of contentment and abundance. The image of Hotei is almost always seen carrying a cloth or linen sack (that which never empties) which is filled with many precious items, including rice plants (indicating wealth), candy for children, food, or the woes of the world. He is patron of the weak, poor and children.


Laughing Buddha statues depict a stout, smiling or laughing bald man in robes with a largely exposed pot belly stomach, which symbolizes happiness, good luck, and plenitude. Some sculpture has small children at his feet. Another item that is usually seen with the Laughing Buddha figure is a begging bowl to represent his Buddhist nature.
In some scenes the Laughing Buddha may be found sitting on a cart drawn by boys, or wielding a fan called an oogi (said to be a "wish giving" fan -- in the distant past, this type of fan was used by the aristocracy to indicate to vassals that their requests would be granted). All of these images display Hotei as a wandering monk who goes around and takes the sadness from people of this world.
According to legend, if one rubs the Laughing Buddha's great belly, it brings forth wealth, good luck, and prosperity. Hotei is also referred to as the patron saint of restaurateurs, fortunetellers and bartenders. When one overeats or over drinks, friends jokingly attribute it to the Laughing Buddha's influence.


The Laughing Buddha figurine is seen with protruding stomach and jolly smile. He is usually depicted carrying wealth symbols such as pots of gold, large ingots and a sack believed to contain treasures. This Buddha is believed to be a person having extraordinary happiness, patience and compassion. It is said that he stomachs all the troubles and problems and transforms them into happiness. The Laughing Buddha is also considered a patron of the weak, poor and children. The Buddha figurines are available in several materials like metal, Tera Cota, resin, crystals etc and are available in different poses each of which carry a different significance.

When buying the Laughing Buddha figurines try getting a bigger one if possible. There are Buddha’s available in different poses but the one carrying pot of gold, large ingots or sack filled with treasures is considered the best for wealth luck. The ideal placement of the Buddha figurine is at about thirty inches in height and directly facing the main door or on a side table or corner table diagonally opposite to the front door and facing the door. It is said to be disrespectful to keep them it in the ground. Students can place the figurine on the study table for getting better results in studies. Keeping this Feng Shui Symbol on the Office or Reception table at the business place is said to bring in financial gains. This figurines need not be worshiped placement is good enough. However, many Feng shui experts’ advice not to keep the Laughing Buddha symbols in the bedroom, bathroom or dining area.

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