Hotei – Mythopedia Hotei (布袋) is a bodhisattva and a member of the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan One of the most well-known symbols of Buddhism, rubbing the belly of the “Laughing Buddha” is said to bring good luck
Why is Budai often associated with the future Buddha Maitreya? Many times I've heard of Budai (pictured below) being associated with Maitreya, the future Buddha Why is this so and how widespread is this belief? Wikipedia lists a short verse uttered before Bud
Is there any proof that Budai was an actual historical figure 3 There is research and writing to proof Budai monk is a historical figure around 10th century and under category of Buddhism Zen teaching The source found that seems not having enough of a specified quality and could not be suitable to Junior Buddhist "The sources available to modern scholars concerning Pu-tai' s life are deficient "
Popular culture portrayal of Buddha statues [duplicate] Many people in the West mistake the image of Budai as being Gautama Buddha - Budai from Wikipedia So as it seems, it's a misattribution of western culture Top one is Budai, the bottom one is Gotama Buddha But the bottom one is also depicted incorrectly, since the Pāḷi Canon portrays the Buddha as bald (muṇḍaka, "bald-shaven man")
art - Who is the laughing Buddha? - Buddhism Stack Exchange His name is Budai and many people in the West mistake his image as being Gautama Buddha Budai is usually identified with or seen as an incarnation of Maitreya, the future Buddha
Why is an emaciated Buddha rarely represented in art? Traditionally the Budai form of Maitreya is associated with Chinese (as well as Vietnamese) representation of the Maitreya Other traditions as well as historical Chinese iconography generally depict him in a regal stately princely manner The important qualities as you pointed out is his joyful nature in his obese appearance
Do all Buddhists abstain from alcohol? - Buddhism Stack Exchange The golden guy on the lower left isn't Buddha, but Budai (aka Hotei), who was an eccentric Chan monk and the Japanese god of happiness, although some traditions identify him with the future Buddha