Folklore[edit] Hotei, god of happiness at Jochi-ji temple.

Hotei painted by Utagawa Kuniyoshi Bo Dai at Ving Trang Pagoda, Vietnam Budai in folklore is admired for his happiness, plenitude, and wisdom of content ment. One belief popular in folklore maintains that rubbing his belly brings wea lth, good luck, and prosperity. In Japan, Hotei persists in folklore as one of the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichi Fuku jin) of Taoism.[6] Buddhism[edit] Some Buddhist traditions consider him a Buddha or a bodhisattva, often identifyi ng him with Maitreya (the future Buddha).[1][5][6][7] His identification with the Maitreya is attributed to a Buddhist hymn (Chinese: ??; pinyin: jyu) he uttered before his death:[4] ?????,?????,?????,????? Maitreya, the true Maitreya has billions of incarnations. Often he is shown to people at the time; other times they do not recognize him. Zen[edit] The primary story that concerns Budai in Zen (Chn) is a short koan.[8] In it, Bud ai 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.[8] I Kuan Tao[edit] Statues of Budai form a central part of I Kuan Tao shrines, where he is usually referred to by the Sanskrit name Maitreya.[9] According to I Kuan Tao, he repres ents many teachings, including contentment, generosity, wisdom and open kindhear tedness.[9] He is predicted to succeed Gautama Buddha as the next Buddha, and he lps people realize the essence within, which connects with all beings. indian budai doll Conflation with other religious figures[edit] Angida Arhat[edit] 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 snak es 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 bodh i. 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" ).[citation needed] Phra Sangkajai / Phra Sangkachai[edit] In Thailand, Budai is sometimes confused with another similar monk widely respec ted in Thailand, Phra Sangkajai or Sangkachai (Thai: ??????????????). Phra Sangk ajai, a Thai rendering of Maha Kaccana or Mahakaccayanathera (Thai: ???????????? ??), was a Buddhist Arhata (in Sanskrit) or Arahant (in Pali) during the time of the Lord Buddha. Lord Buddha praised Phra Sangkadchai for his excellence in exp laining sophisticated dharma (or dhamma) in an easily and correctly understandab le manner. Phra Sangkajai (Maha Kaccana) also composed the Madhupinadika Sutra ( Madhupindika Sutta MN 18).

One tale of the Thai folklore relates that he was so handsome that once even a m an wanted him for a wife. To avoid a similar situation, Phra Sangkadchai decided to transform himself into a fat monk. Another tale says he was so attractive th at angels and men often compared him with the Buddha. He considered this inappro priate, so disguised himself in an unpleasantly fat body. Although both Budai and Phra Sangkajai may be found in both Thai and Chinese tem ples, Phra Sangkajai is found more often in Thai temples, and Budai in Chinese t emples. Two points to distinguish them from one another are: Phra Sangkajai has a trace of hair on his head (looking similar to the Buddha's) while Budai is clearly bald. Phra Sangkajai wears the robes in Theravadin Buddhist fashion with the robes fol ded across one shoulder, leaving the other uncovered. Budai wears the robes in C hinese style, covering both arms but leaving the front part of the upper body un covered. References[edit]

Budai, Wat Don Phra Chao, Yasothon, Thailand ^ Jump up to: a b c d Cook, Francis Dojun. How To Raise an Ox. Wisdom Publicatio ns. pp. 166 note 76. ISBN 9780861713172. Jump up ^ "The Laughing Buddha". About.com. Retrieved April 20, 2013. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Mark Schumacher. "HOTEI God of Contentment & Happiness ". Onmarkproductions.com. Retrieved 2011-12-26. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Hotei, Pu-Tai, Maitreya, all known as the Laughing Buddha". Newsfinder.org. 2002-06-16. Retrieved 2011-12-26. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "The Laughing Buddha". Religionfacts.com. Retrieved 2011 -12-26. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Hotei". Uwec.edu. 2008-11-16. Retrieved 2011-12-26. Jump up ^ Stoneware figure of Budai ('Laughing Buddha') at British Museum ^ Jump up to: a b "Osho talks on the fat-bellied laughing Chinese Zen Buddhist a rhat named Budai". Livingworkshop.net. Retrieved 2011-12-26. ^ Jump up to: a b "Tao Living: Maitreya Buddha". Taoism.net. Retrieved 2011-12-2 6.