Laughing Buddha

About Laughing Buddha

Laughing Buddha is one amongst the prominent symbols of Feng Shui art of energy harmonization. Apart from being prominent and effective symbol, it is highly popular as well. Other than this popular name, it has several other names such as Hotei, Pu-Tai, Happy Buddha, and Maitreya.

Laughing Buddha is famous across the world.

One widely popular legend associated with it states the story of its evolution which dates back to around thousand years. At that time, there used to be a Chinese monk with the name of Ch’an (Zen), who was very eminent among people for his generous nature. His influence over the people was so intense that many of them started believing him to be an incarnation of the Bodhisattva, a form which will turn into Maitreya or the Future Buddha. With his big smile, large belly, and cheerful nature, he was bestowed with the term of Laughing Buddha’, which soon went popular.

Aspects
He is personified as a bald Chinese person with huge belly and a big face with an even bigger flabby smile. His big bells has been defined as a representation of the abundance, happiness, prosperity, and good luck, which it derives to all those who possess Laughing Buddha.

However, this is the basic and the most popular form of it. Besides this, there are various other extended forms which vary on some or the other aspect. For instance, some sculptures have small Chinese children standing near to the feet of the main figure of Laughing Buddha. Then there are others sculptures, where he is shown with a big begging bowl in his hand, which is a representation of a significant Buddhist service. Other than them, there are some sculptures in which he is shown sitting on a cart, which is driven by few boys. One very popular and auspicious form is of it has Laughing Buddha accompanied with a pot and sack full of gold, gold bricks, and treasuries. Last but not the least, there are some in which he is shown putting forth Oogi, a symbol of granting wishes of the vassals which was used to be accepted and observed by upper classes of society a long time back.

Beliefs and Impact
Presence of Laughing Buddha at a place denotes for good luck and prosperity, an ability which has derived it with the title of ‘God of Wealth’. The intensity of its impact is believed to be too strong, which is the reason the Feng Shui experts highly recommend it. Other than this basic and widely accepted belief, it holds its own share of notions and stories in different places and people. For instance, Chinese people consider it to be a representation of someone who is loving and friendly.

In a bottom-line statement, Laughing Buddha can be stated as a source of happiness, good luck, prosperity, wealth, and success for all those present in the environment where it exists. It is also a source of liberation from all sorts of despairs and troubles. It is out of its sheer effectiveness only that it has gained enormous popularity to be a part of every second house, workplace, temple, etc. Also, it is believed to be one auspicious gift to be given to someone, no matter what the occasion is.

Things to Remember
There are certain significant things which are required to be kept in consideration at the time of buying a Laughing Buddha. No matter what form of it you choose to have, make sure to establish it at no less than thirty inches above the ground. Make sure to have it directed to the front door of your house, and prefer to do it by placing it on a stool or a table which is placed diagonally opposite from the front door. Those who find it difficult to concentrate or learn can gain intelligence and wisdom, if they place it on their study table. Those who aspire for wealth and good luck should prefer to get the form which involves pots and sacks full of gold and treasuries. Those who aspire to have big profits and success in their business or profession should establish it either at their work desk or at their reception.

However, it should never be placed in either bathroom or bedroom or dining area of the house, as it is considered as unproductive and sometimes even unsafe.