Laughing Buddha “A Myth”
This article is not meant to hurt the sentiments of Buddhists but from scientific point of view laughing Buddha and Good luck is a myth.
"Laughing Buddha" is the English name for the Buddhist figures known as Budai or Hotei (Hotei actually means “cloth bag” or “glutton”). Laughing Buddha is known as Hotei among the Chinese and is considered very auspicious. The laughing Buddha is considered to be one of the Gods of wealth. It brings prosperity, success and financial growth to the house. A 30-inch Buddha facing the main door is considered the ideal location. The laughing Buddha greets the energy that enters the house from the main door, activates it and turns it prosperous. His large protruding belly is symbolic of happiness, luck and prosperity. It is believed that if a person rubs his belly it brings good luck. Often, one single feng shui coin is placed below the statue.
The Laughing Buddha holding pieces of gold over his head is believed to bring prosperity and the one with children symbolizes fertility and family happiness.
There is no scientific basis for the belief that laughing Buddha brings good luck. The misconceptions have arisen because of the false connection made between Budai and Gautama Buddha, the historical founder of Buddhism. In the Chinese tradition, Budai was a monk who lived during the Liang Dynasty (907 - 923 AD) of China. He was a native of Fenghua, and his Buddhist name was Qieci. He was considered a man of good and loving character. Apart from his character, his identification with the Maitreya Bodhisattva (the future Buddha) is also attributed to a Buddhist hymn he uttered before his death. Neither there is scientific evidence of connection of Buddha and Maitreya Buddha the "future Buddha, the one who will come in the distant future to revive Buddhist teachings and bring an end of suffering. Since Maitreya Buddha has "big stomach" and the large, fat belly is a symbol of happiness, luck, and generosity it is believed that laughing Buddha will bring good luck.
The Laughing Buddha, Pu-tai’s weather predictions raised his popularity. He used to predict by word of mouth or indicated them by his behavior, and they were considered infallible. People in the belief that Pu-Tai was in fact an incarnated form of the Buddha Maitreya worshiped portraits of him.
Misconceptions have arisen because of this new enthusiasm, including the false connection made between Budai and Gautama Buddha, the historical founder of Buddhism.
"Laughing Buddha" is the English name for the Buddhist figures known as Budai or Hotei (Hotei actually means “cloth bag” or “glutton”). Laughing Buddha is known as Hotei among the Chinese and is considered very auspicious. The laughing Buddha is considered to be one of the Gods of wealth. It brings prosperity, success and financial growth to the house. A 30-inch Buddha facing the main door is considered the ideal location. The laughing Buddha greets the energy that enters the house from the main door, activates it and turns it prosperous. His large protruding belly is symbolic of happiness, luck and prosperity. It is believed that if a person rubs his belly it brings good luck. Often, one single feng shui coin is placed below the statue.
The Laughing Buddha holding pieces of gold over his head is believed to bring prosperity and the one with children symbolizes fertility and family happiness.
There is no scientific basis for the belief that laughing Buddha brings good luck. The misconceptions have arisen because of the false connection made between Budai and Gautama Buddha, the historical founder of Buddhism. In the Chinese tradition, Budai was a monk who lived during the Liang Dynasty (907 - 923 AD) of China. He was a native of Fenghua, and his Buddhist name was Qieci. He was considered a man of good and loving character. Apart from his character, his identification with the Maitreya Bodhisattva (the future Buddha) is also attributed to a Buddhist hymn he uttered before his death. Neither there is scientific evidence of connection of Buddha and Maitreya Buddha the "future Buddha, the one who will come in the distant future to revive Buddhist teachings and bring an end of suffering. Since Maitreya Buddha has "big stomach" and the large, fat belly is a symbol of happiness, luck, and generosity it is believed that laughing Buddha will bring good luck.
The Laughing Buddha, Pu-tai’s weather predictions raised his popularity. He used to predict by word of mouth or indicated them by his behavior, and they were considered infallible. People in the belief that Pu-Tai was in fact an incarnated form of the Buddha Maitreya worshiped portraits of him.
Misconceptions have arisen because of this new enthusiasm, including the false connection made between Budai and Gautama Buddha, the historical founder of Buddhism.
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