ALEX TOW: “I am often asked about the Laughing Buddha, this wonderful, cheerful deity, a feng shui symbol that brings wonderful energy to the home, happiness and good luck. What is the correct name for him - Hotei or Smiling (Laughing) Buddha? How are its different variations different? How to properly place his image in your home and office?

When we talk about success in career growth, we cannot ignore this wonderful Deity. In China, you will hear stories everywhere about the “loving one” who carries a big bag of sweets and gives it to all the children he meets. This "lover" is also known as the "Laughing Buddha". He is usually depicted in a red robe and with a fat belly. Around his neck hangs a rosary, which he uses to count mantras and prayers that he recites for people in the morning and evening. Many revere him as a God who brings happiness and great luck. His cheerful disposition and always good mood are manifested in the eternal smile on his round face.

The Chinese believe that once the figure of the Laughing Buddha is placed in a house, the spirit of the “lover” immediately collects all the misfortunes and problems in the house. He then puts all the fears, frustrations, anger, jealousy, envy, pain and hatred into his big bag where they are transformed into positive energy. That is why the Laughing Buddha is revered as the God of Happiness and Prosperity.

One legend describes him as a monk during the Tang Dynasty. Legend has it that this man lived in the city of Changan and was always seen with a huge bag full of candy, which he distributed to children. Over time, it became an integral part of the city itself. He began to be revered as the Laughing Buddha, because no matter the weather or time of day, good or bad news, a happy smile never left his face.

Many Buddhists believe that the Laughing Buddha is an incarnation of Maitreya Buddha who will soon visit Earth. Legend has it that Maitreya was so handsome that all the young girls fell in love with him. Then the Buddha, out of compassion, decided to take the form of a fat, elderly monk with an obese figure. He decided to maintain his happy appearance in order to continue giving happiness to people. Since then, Maitreya has always been associated with the Laughing Buddha. In Japan he is called HOTEI and is revered as one of the seven lucky Gods of abundance.

More than a thousand years have passed, but the image of the Laughing Buddha is still perhaps the most popular image of good luck. You will find his figurines made of ceramics, bronze and ivory in palaces and huts, restaurants and exhibitions, offices and apartments of all people in the East.

In recent years, as the popularity of Feng Shui grows every day, images of the Laughing Buddha have become even more in demand and popular, largely thanks to wealthy businessmen in Hong Kong, China and Malaysia who collect entire collections of variations of this Deity. Frequently visiting Lilian Tu's house, I saw hundreds of such variations, made from different materials.

Typically, the Laughing Buddha is made of porcelain, wood or bronze, materials that perfectly activate various elements in our home. He is depicted standing or sitting on a large bag and gold bars, symbols of wealth and success. It is believed that his bag contains gold coins and medicines for all diseases and misfortunes.

Often the Buddha is surrounded by happy children (usually 5). In this case, his image attracts excellent luck in childbirth. In this case, it is better to place the Laughing Buddha in the hall facing the front door, and not in the bedroom, as many people mistakenly believe. The Laughing Buddha, like any religious image, should not be placed in a bedroom where spouses sleep together, as it is considered disrespectful.

Buddha is a wonderful symbol of the health and longevity that he radiates. If you want to use this quality, then it is better to place an image made of wood or polystone in the East at home. At the same time, it is recommended to stroke the belly of the Laughing Buddha more often to activate the energy of good luck.

Placed next to a water structure in the Southeast or at the location of water star 8, the Laughing Buddha becomes a powerful activator of financial luck and wealth. Usually such a Buddha is depicted together with a Dragon.

The meaning of various images of the Laughing Buddha:

*
Buddha, who is depicted standing with his hands raised, in which he holds a bar of gold. This is the “morning Buddha” - if you stroke his belly, you will start your day very auspiciously.

* Buddha sitting on a golden bag holding a gold bar in his hand. This is the “Buddha of the day” who does not allow problems and troubles to break us. He puts problems in a bag and reminds that there is nothing in life that should be feared.

* Buddha with Wu Lu pumpkin and coins. A symbol of professional success, health and monetary luck. It is recommended to place it in the office on your desktop.

* Buddha with a big bag behind and a fish. A symbol of abundance and quick solutions to problems.

* Buddha holds a rooster in his hand and looks up. A wonderful image that will save you from gossip and intrigue at work.

* Buddha in red clothes. This is the best means of protection against the 3, the star of quarrels.” (from the book “Feng Shui and Career Luck” by Alex Thau)

Hello, dear readers – seekers of knowledge and truth!

Today we will get acquainted with the good-natured Buddha, whom many have probably seen in the form of figurines brought from the East. His name is Buddha Hotei, and he promises to bring happiness to any home where he is loved.

The article below will tell you many interesting things about this Buddha: what is its significance in Eastern culture, where it is especially revered, what attributes it can be found with and what they mean.

You will also learn an interesting story that tells why Hotei has such a big belly. And at the end, we will share with you tips on how to make a wish to Want, where to put it in the house and which way to stroke the belly so that the dream will certainly come true.

God of happiness

Hotei is highly revered in China, in the practice of Feng Shui, but especially in Japan. According to local myths, he is considered one of the seven gods of happiness. He is very loved in the East, because he gives a rich, prosperous, happy, cheerful life, filled with communication with interesting people.

Buddha Hotei

It is called differently:

• Hotei - in Japanese;
• Budai - in Chinese.

The main companion of the laughing Buddha is a canvas bag, which in Japanese is translated as “ ho tay". This is where his name comes from.

Hotei is often called Buddha for some external resemblance to his statues. But from the point of view of Buddhist philosophy, they have nothing in common - Hotei comes from a different culture.

Hotei figurines - famous characters from Japanese arts and crafts netsuke. They can be of different sizes: from quite large statues, for example, at the entrance to a store, to small keychains that fit in a pocket. But Hotei’s strength does not depend on size - he is always ready to give wealth and financial success to his owners.

In any oriental souvenir shop you can meet this kind fat man. Shop owners buy them to attract greater profits, and ordinary family people place them in their homes to find happiness, harmony and well-being. The area of ​​activity of the Buddha of Abundance depends on which area of ​​the apartment you place the figurine in.

In Chukotka there is an analogue of the god Hotei - he is called “peliken”. He also takes the form of a man with a kind smile and a huge belly, and his appearance in the house promises happiness and good luck to the owners.

Peliken - Chukchi mascot

Story

There are several funny legends associated with the god Hotei. Its prototype was a real monk from China who lived in the 10th century. His name was Tsi-Tsi.

But, unlike other monks, he did not like the life of a recluse. Tsi-Tsi traveled a lot, wandered around the country, constantly coming to fairs, bazaars - where there were a lot of people. He made money by predicting the weather or receiving alms.

He had with him only a wooden rosary, a staff and a canvas bag. The other bag was his huge belly, which could not be hidden under any clothing. But the Chinese loved him very much for this - it was believed that it was there that the vital energy of qi was concentrated, and Qi-Tsy had so much of it.

They also loved him for his kind disposition and wide, sincere smile. Wherever the good-natured monk appeared, fun began, and the people around him experienced good fortune, luck and wealth. When asked what he was hiding in the bag, the fat man said that the whole world was hidden in it.

Laughing Buddha

Since then, the world began to call him Hotei. He was depicted in figurines, statues that brought good luck to their owners. It reached its peak of popularity in the Land of the Rising Sun in the 15th century, but even today the decor of any Japanese home is rarely complete without its image.

Another version of the origin of the god of happiness goes back to Feng Shui, which connects him with Buddha Maitreya. Hotei, or as he is called in China, Budai, was a god, very handsome and good-natured. He drove thousands crazy with a woman, but could not be with any of them and, without meaning to, left them unhappy.

To stop the suffering of women, he took the form of a fat, bald deity. And to quench their sadness, he gave each woman happiness, wealth and good luck.

Varieties

Hotei is depicted in the figurines as an old man with a bald head, a wide smile, a bottomless belly and, of course, a bottomless bag. Some say that he keeps happiness there, while others say that he collects people’s grief and sorrow there.

Hotei on a dragon turtle

Figurines come in different sizes, but are usually white, green or golden. Clay, wood, plaster, metal, stone - the material does not play a special role.

Another thing is the attributes and satellites of Hotei. It depends on them what exactly the god of happiness will give you. It can be depicted in different ways:

• on a toad with three legs - promises the owner a quick acquisition of wealth without much effort;
• on an animal - a mixture of a dragon and a turtle - helps businessmen build good relationships with partners, enter into profitable contracts, successfully invest money and make friends with successful people;
• with a pearl - also brings wealth, but also stimulates spiritual growth;
• s – gives well-being and opens the door to gaining knowledge;

Hotey with rosary

• with a fan - creates a wind of change that changes life in the best way;
• with a ginseng staff, bamboo or pumpkin bowl - attracts wealth, health and long life;
• with a rocker - entails untold wealth, happiness in the family, because the rocker holds a basket of gold, solid bars and coins;
• with a mountain of sand made of gold and coins - promotes concentration on an important matter, without being distracted by trifles, and soon - a rise up the career ladder;
• with a bag behind your back - gives luck, prosperity, which will be achieved with ease: work will bring pleasure and be given without difficulty;
• with a crown - patronizes celebrities;
• with children - helps a married couple to quickly conceive long-awaited children and brings money for their upbringing.

Hotey with children

Hotei in the interior

The power of the god of happiness also depends on where he is placed in the house:

• in the hallway, facing the front door - gives respect to others, glory, honor;
• in the south of the apartment - entails recognition of the talents and abilities of the head of the family;
• southeast sector - attracts wealth, for example, finding a new, more profitable job or winning the lottery;
• sector of the east - gives warmth of the family hearth, harmony;
• zone of the west or southwest - helps to have children, raise them to be good people;
• desktop - promotes a successful career, ease of work, the desire to create and create, saves from gossipers and ill-wishers.

There may be several Hotei figurines in the interior. They know how to work miracles and fulfill specific wishes. To do this, you need to stroke the fat man's stomach three hundred times in a clockwise direction, continuously thinking about the object of your desires.

Hotey with a crown

You can stroke your tummy every time before leaving the house - then Hotei will give you good luck and luck for the whole day. But it is important to remember that he loves cleanliness and attention - the figurine should be in a prominent place so that all guests can admire it, and the space around it should be constantly tidied up. Then Hotei will certainly make your every day happy, rich and successful.

Conclusion

Thank you very much for your attention, dear readers! May wealth, luck and family well-being always be present in your life.

And join us - we will search for the truth together. See you!

The most cheerful and positive of all existing gods of all times and pantheons! A figurine of Hotei can be found in the homes of millions of people, regardless of their religion. And no wonder - you won’t meet a more good-natured deity, and you want wealth and happiness!

There are several legends about Hotei:

A long time ago (at the end of the 10th century) in one country (let's call it China) there lived a monk, he was small and fat, and his name was Tse-Tsy. The monk constantly wandered and his faithful companions were only a large canvas bag and wooden rosary. By the way, the name familiar to everyone came from the bag - Hotei(Ho Tay- canvas bag in Japanese). And in China the monk was nicknamed We will.

In the East, the belly is considered a haven for the soul, so Hotei can be called very soulful, and he (the belly) is also the personification of generosity and breadth of soul.

The legend about Hotei says that wherever he came, people immediately experienced health, luck and prosperity. Some people asked what Monk Hotei was carrying in his bag, he said that he was carrying “The Whole World” on his shoulders.

Later, the contents of his bag came to be considered the Great Emptiness (Ta-Khun), which personifies the “nothing” from which the great “everything” was born. After the death of the monk, Hotei began to be considered the eighth incarnation Buddha, Buddha Maitreya. According to the canons of Buddhism, Buddha Maitreya is a ninth-level bodhisattva who is about to be born Buddha Manushi 5000 years after the death of the great Shakyamuni Gautama, whose arrival will be the achievement of world harmony. Now he lives in the heavenly country Tushita (Garden of Joy) and, according to Japanese legend, in the form Hotea comes down to people to please them. Canonized as the god of carefree happiness (one of the seven gods of happiness) in Japan in the 17th century.

Another legend tells us about a laughing Chinese:

His name was Budai and he lived during the Tang dynasty. He did not want to call himself a Zen teacher or gather disciples around him. Instead, he wandered the streets with a large bag in which he put sweets, fruits or pies. He gave all this to the children who played on the street and gathered around him. He created a kindergarten on the street. If he met a person on the street who devoted himself Zen, he extended his hand to him and said: “Give me a coin.” And if someone asked him to return to the temple and teach others, he would repeat again: “Give me a coin.”

One day, while he was doing his play-work, another Zen teacher happened to be nearby and asked him: “What is the essence of Zen?” Hotei immediately dropped his bag to the ground in silent response. “Then,” another asked him, “what is the realization of Zen?” The happy Chinese immediately hung his bag on his shoulder and continued on his way.

And one more legend:

When Hotei attained enlightenment, he began to laugh. He lived after this for almost thirty more years; and laughed all these years. Even in his sleep - his students sometimes heard him - he laughed. His whole message to the world was laughter. He moved from place to place, from one market square to another, stood in the center of the market and began to laugh - that’s the whole sermon. He laughed excitingly, contagiously; it was a real laugh, his stomach shook with laughter, Hotei fell to the ground and rolled on it. The people gathered around also began to laugh, the laughter spread further, like tidal waves, and now the whole village was overcome with laughter. People were looking forward to Hotei will come to their village, because he brought them so much joy, so much bliss. Hotei never said a single word. He was asked about Buddha, and he laughed; they asked him about enlightenment and he laughed, they asked him about truth and he laughed. Laughter was his only message.