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Budai

For other uses, see Budai (disambiguation).

In India, Nepal, and throughout southeast Asia, Gautama


(who lived during the 6th century BCE) is commonly depicted as being tall and slender in appearance. In contrast,
in China and those areas to which Chinese cultural inuence spread, the depiction of Budai (who lived during the
10th century CE) is consistently short and round.

Budai or Pu-Tai* [1]* [2] (Chinese: ; pinyin:


Bdi), or (Hotei) in Japanese,* [3] B i in
Vietnamese, is a Chinese folkloric deity. His name means
Cloth Sack,* [3]* [4] and comes from the bag that he is
conventionally depicted as carrying. He is usually identied with or seen as an incarnation of Maitreya, the future Buddha, so much so that the Budai image is one
3
of the main forms in which Maitreya is depicted in East
*
Asia. [4] He is almost always shown smiling or laughing,
hence his nickname in Chinese, the Laughing Buddha 3.1
(Chinese: ).* [1]* [3]* [5] In the West, the image of
Budai is often mistaken for Gautama Buddha.* [6]

Traditions that revere Budai


Folklore

Description

Budai is traditionally depicted as an obese, bald man


wearing a robe* [1]* [5]* [7] and wearing or otherwise carrying prayer beads. He carries his few possessions in a
cloth sack,* [5] being poor but content. He is often depicted entertaining or being followed by adoring children.
His gure appears throughout Chinese culture as a representation of contentment.* [5] His image graces many
temples, restaurants, amulets, and businesses.* [3]

History

According to Chinese history, Budai was an eccentric


Chn monk (Chinese: ; pinyin: chn)* [3] who lived
in China during the Later Liang (907923 CE). He was
a native of Fenghua, and his Buddhist name was Qieci
(Chinese: ; pinyin: qic; literally: Promise this
).* [3] He was considered a man of good and loving character.
The term buddha meansone who is awake, connoting
one who has awakened into enlightenment. Over the history of Buddhism, there have been several notable gures
who would come to be remembered as, and referred to as,
buddhas. Later followers of the Chan school would come
to teach that all beings possess Buddha-nature within
them, and are already enlightened, but have yet to realize it. This teaching would continue into Zen.

Hotei, god of happiness at Jchi-ji temple.

Budai in folklore is admired for his happiness, plenitude,


and wisdom of contentment. One belief popular in folklore maintains that rubbing his belly brings wealth, good
Budai is often conated with (or simply replaces) the his- luck, and prosperity.
torical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, in spite of the dis- In Japan, Hotei persists in folklore as one of the Seven
tinct visual dierences in how each has been depicted. Lucky Gods (Shichi Fukujin) of Taoism.* [7]
1

3.2

Buddhism

REFERENCES

4.2 Phra Sangkajai / Phra Sangkachai

Some Buddhist traditions consider him a Buddha or a In Thailand, Budai is sometimes confused with anbodhisattva, often identifying him with Maitreya (the fu- other similar monk widely respected in Thailand, Phra
Sangkajai or Sangkachai (Thai: ). Phra
ture Buddha).* [1]* [5]* [7]* [8]
Sangkajai, a Thai rendering of Maha Kaccana or
His identication with the Maitreya is attributed to a BudMahakaccayanathera (Thai: ), was a
dhist hymn (Chinese: ; pinyin: jy) he uttered beBuddhist Arhata (in Sanskrit) or Arahant (in Pali) dur*
fore his death: [4]
ing the time of the Lord Buddha. Lord Buddha praised
Phra Sangkadchai for his excellence in explaining sophis
ticated dharma (or dhamma) in an easily and correctly

understandable manner. Phra Sangkajai (Maha Kaccana)


also composed the Madhupinadika Sutra (Madhupindika
Sutta MN 18).
Maitreya, the true Maitreya
has billions of incarnations.
One tale of the Thai folklore relates that he was so handOften he is shown to people at the time;
some that once even a man wanted him for a wife. To
other times they do not recognize him.
avoid a similar situation, Phra Sangkadchai decided to

3.3

Zen

The primary story that concerns Budai in Zen (Chn) is a


short kan.* [9] In it, Budai is said to travel giving candy
to poor children, only asking a penny from Zen monks
or lay practitioners he meets. One day a monk walks up
to him and asks, What is the meaning of Zen?" Budai
drops his bag.How does one realize Zen?" he continues.
Budai then takes up his bag and continues on his way.* [9]

3.4

I Kuan Tao

Statues of Budai form a central part of I Kuan Tao


shrines, where he is usually referred to by the Sanskrit
name Maitreya.* [10] According to I Kuan Tao, he represents many teachings, including contentment, generosity, wisdom and open kindheartedness.* [10] He is predicted to succeed Gautama Buddha as the next Buddha,
and helps people realize the essence within, which connects with all beings.

4
4.1

Conation with other religious


gures
Angida Arhat

Angida was one of the original eighteen Arhats of


Buddhism. According to legend, Angida was a talented
Indian snake catcher whose aim was to catch venomous
snakes to prevent them from biting passers-by. Angida
would also remove the snake's venomous fangs and release them. Due to his kindness, he was able to attain
bodhi.
In Chinese art, Angida is sometimes portrayed as Budai,
being rotund, laughing, and carrying a bag. In Nepali, he
is also called hasne buddha (laughing Buddha).

transform himself into a fat monk. Another tale says he


was so attractive that angels and men often compared him
with the Buddha. He considered this inappropriate, so
disguised himself in an unpleasantly fat body.
Although both Budai and Phra Sangkajai may be found in
both Thai and Chinese temples, Phra Sangkajai is found
more often in Thai temples, and Budai in Chinese temples. Two points to distinguish them from one another
are:
1. Phra Sangkajai has a trace of hair on his head (looking similar to the Buddha's) while Budai is clearly
bald.
2. Phra Sangkajai wears the robes in Theravadin Buddhist fashion with the robes folded across one shoulder, leaving the other uncovered. Budai wears the
robes in Chinese style, covering both arms but leaving the front part of the upper body uncovered.

5 References
[1] Cook, Francis Dojun. How To Raise an Ox. Wisdom Publications. pp. 166 note 76. ISBN 9780861713172.
[2] The Laughing Buddha. About.com. Retrieved April
20, 2013.
[3] Mark Schumacher. HOTEI God of Contentment &
Happiness. Onmarkproductions.com. Retrieved 201112-26.
[4] Hotei, Pu-Tai, Maitreya, all known as the Laughing Buddha. Newsnder.org. 2002-06-16. Retrieved 2011-1226.
[5] The Laughing Buddha. Religionfacts.com. Retrieved
2011-12-26.
[6] Peterson, Christopher (July 17, 2012). When Did the
Buddha Become Fat?". Psychology Today. Retrieved December 5, 2014.

[7] Hotei. Uwec.edu. 2008-11-16. Retrieved 2011-1226.


[8] Stoneware gure of Budai ('Laughing Buddha') at British
Museum
[9] Osho talks on the fat-bellied laughing Chinese Zen Buddhist arhat named Budai. Livingworkshop.net. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
[10] Tao Living: Maitreya Buddha. Taoism.net. Retrieved
2011-12-26.

External links
Media related to Hotei at Wikimedia Commons
Learning materials related to Buddha oracle#36
Laziness (The Happy Buddha) at Wikiversity

Hotei painted by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

EXTERNAL LINKS

Bo Dai at Ving Trang Pagoda, Vietnam

Budai, Wat Don Phra Chao, Yasothon, Thailand

Indian Budai doll

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

7.1

Text

Budai Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budai?oldid=639925123 Contributors: AxelBoldt, Bryan Derksen, Kowloonese, Olivier, Kwertii, Menchi, Ahoerstemeier, Usedbook, Nnh, Robbot, Yas, Nat Krause, Bradeos Graphon, Per Honor et Gloria, Gugganij, MementoVivere, Master Of Ninja, Mindspillage, Rich Farmbrough, Vsmith, Vapour, Aranel, Smalljim, Hintha, Jakew, Uncle Frank, Cjthellama,
BRW, Abstrakt1, RyanGerbil10, Angr, Boothy443, MONGO, Astanhope, Waldir, Tydaj, MikeDockery, Xxshockx, Vberger, Rjwilmsi,
Jake Wartenberg, Petrusbarbygere, Lostsocks, FlaBot, Vsion, Mitsukai, Jrtayloriv, Jaraalbe, Gdrbot, YurikBot, RussBot, Sumple, Theboogeyman, Smaines, AjaxSmack, Pawyilee, PotatoSamurai, Ninly, Teiladnam, Eduard Gherkin, Sarefo, LeonardoRob0t, Kaicarver, Luk,
L joo, SmackBot, YellowMonkey, Zazaban, Unyoyega, Lawrencekhoo, Reverend Loki, Chris the speller, Bluebot, WangHaoDe, Sct72,
OrphanBot, Addshore, Jillzilla, JoanneQuinn, Jerrch, Whipsandchains, Thetruthaboutfgs, Vina-iwbot, Tktktk, Tadakuni, Optakeover,
Patrick Schwemmer, Scientivore, HongQiGong, Tawkerbot2, CmdrObot, Iokseng, Williampfeifer, Aydiosmio, Ekajati, Vectro, Meno25,
Eu.stefan, Ghostexorcist, Biruitorul, Hit bull, win steak, Fluxbot, Lemean, Porqin, Claesen, JAnDbot, Gavia immer, Exairetos, Dekimasu, Simon Peter Hughes, Penalba2000, Fengshuifan, Buddha55, CommonsDelinker, Pomte, Jumpingman, Joshua Issac, Cometstyles,
McNoddy, ABF, A Ramachandran, Rosswood40, Nono le petit robot, IPSOS, Anna Lincoln, Phillip Rosenthal, Brolly109, SQL, Falcon8765, Maxairborne, Flyer22, PalaceGuard008, BenoniBot, Iamwisesun, Denisarona, ClueBot, Soccerking344, Fyyer, Bvolant, Bremerenator, SchreiberBike, BOTarate, Tolkowski, Editor2020, DumZiBoT, Black Knight takes White Queen, XLinkBot, Okinawa6, Bobmarley6669876, Good Olfactory, Addbot, Landon1980, Non-dropframe, Vibhajjavada, Tsange, Hereford, OlEnglish, Angrysockhop, Luckasbot, Yobot, Shinkansen Fan, Darknext, Tempodivalse, DiverDave, AnomieBOT, Jfry3, Xufanc, Wandering Courier, Obersachsebot, Xqbot,
Hanayama, Timmyshin, Hannah 50, Tktru, Rubbish8, HamburgerRadio, Skyerise, MondalorBot, Jikybebna, Lotje, Kiyoweap, ZhBot,
Akuma6, Jemardi, Oliverlyc, LordSuryaofShropshire, Bxj, SporkBot, Milei.vencel, Coolidays, JulioMarco, 28bot, Helpsome, ClueBot
NG, Cntras, Sealle, WorldPeace25, Lan1, ProKro, Juhuyuta, Prabhupuducherry, TowlesCK and Anonymous: 170

7.2

Images

File:Budai.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Budai.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own


work Original artist: Milei.vencel, Hungary
File:Daibutsu_of_Todaiji_4.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Daibutsu_of_Todaiji_4.jpg License:
CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mafue/1653321252/ Original artist: Mafue
File:Guanyin_00.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Guanyin_00.jpg License: Public domain Contributors:
Transferred from en.wikipedia by SreeBot Original artist: Uploaded by Whipsandchains at en.wikipedia
File:Hotei,_god_of_happiness_at_Jchi-ji_temple.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Hotei%2C_
god_of_happiness_at_J%C5%8Dchi-ji_temple.jpg License: CC BY 2.0 Contributors: Hotei, god of happiness at Jchi-ji temple Original artist: Andrea Schaer from Sydney, Australia
File:Hotei_in_Thailand.JPG Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Hotei_in_Thailand.JPG License: CC-BYSA-3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Pawyi Lee
File:Hotei_one_of_the_seven_Gods_of_good_fortune.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Hotei_one_
of_the_seven_Gods_of_good_fortune.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Indian_budai_doll.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Indian_budai_doll.jpg License: CC0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Prabhupuducherry

7.3

Content license

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