Laughing Buddha

We’ve all seen statues of the Laughing Buddha. Except it isn’t a statue of the Buddha. At least not the “original” Buddha, Siddhartha from Lumbini.

 

There were many other Bodhisatvas and avatars after Siddhartha. The Laughing Buddha is one such avatar, Budai, from 10th century AD. He would wander from village to village carrying a large sack over his shoulder. From that sack, he would give rice and sweets to all. On his deathbed, he revealed himself as an avatar of the Buddha.

 

This avatar became particularly popular in Zen Buddhism. His large belly and sack came to represent abundance. At some point, he became the patron deity of bartenders and restaurants. Hence his prized location next to the cash register in Buddhist owned restaurants!

 

This figure of the Laughing Buddha then went global with the porcelain trade in the 16th century. This depiction is not considered a sacrilege by Buddhists. Anything that brings people closer to the Buddha (in any way) can only be a good thing, they feel. Even if most people can’t differentiate the Buddha from his avatars.

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