I am very fond of collecting laughing Buddhas. They looked great, spread all over my house, and I strongly believed that they are oozing of Good Luck and will soon get me great fortunes. More than the fate they brought (or didn’t), they cheer me up and I love having them around me, so I thought I would share with you their real significance. So, here’s a low-down of all that you ever wanted to know about these cute-looking saints…

The celestial Buddha named Hotei or Pu-Tai is best known as the jolly Laughing Buddha. He is based on an eccentric Chinese Ch'an (Zen) monk who lived over 1,000 years ago and has become a significant part of Buddhist and Shinto culture. Because of this monk's benevolent nature, he came to be regarded as an incarnation of the bodhisattva who will be Maitreya (the Future Buddha). His large protruding stomach and jolly smile have given him the common designation "Laughing Buddha."

Laughing Buddha statues depict a stout, smiling or laughing bald man in robes with a largely exposed pot belly stomach, which symbolizes happiness, good luck, and plenitude. His image graces many temples, restaurants, and amulets, as he has become a deity of contentment and abundance. The image of Hotei is almost always seen carrying a cloth or linen sack (that which never empties) which is filled with many precious items, including rice plants (indicating wealth), candy for children, food, or the woes of the world.

An item that is usually seen with the Laughing Buddha figure is a begging bowl to represent his Buddhist nature. In some scenes the Laughing Buddha may be found sitting on a cart drawn by boys, or wielding a fan called an ‘Oogi’ (a ‘wish giving’ fan, this type of fan was used by the aristocracy to indicate to vassals that their requests would be granted). All of these images display Hotei as a wandering monk who goes around and takes the sadness from people of this world.

According to legend, if you rub the Laughing Buddha's great belly, it brings forth wealth, good luck, and prosperity. Hotei is also referred to as the patron saint of restaurateurs, fortune tellers and bartenders. When one overeats or over drinks, friends jokingly attribute it to the Laughing Buddha's influence. Over the years, he has come to represent several beneficial attributes such as happiness, prosperity, contentment and joy. Consequently, people in East Asia such as China and Japan have placed the Fat Buddha statue in their homes and offices.

Place a Buddha in your home to add an atmosphere of contentment and serenity. He is there to remind us not to work too hard or become greedy. It is very auspicious to light a candle on his birthday (8th May) and you can ask him to grant any special requests that you may have.

Feng Shui focuses on the actual position of the placement and direction the Fat Buddha statue is facing. In Feng Shui, the reason for buying and placing figurines or statues in the home is to correct a certain imbalance in your life. The placement of particular figurines in a certain part or direction of the house is meant to bring harmony and order into your life, letting you experience a more peaceful and prosperous life. Take a look at the directions recommended to resolve various issues…

If your family suffers from arguments and tensions, then an image or figurine of the Laughing Buddha will solve these problems. Simply place him in the East region (Family Luck) (Feng Shui Bagua Formula) or a location where he can be seen when everyone is sitting around in your living room or main hall.

For those who wish to enhance their luck in the aspects of wealth, self-development, wellbeing and victory, displaying the Laughing Buddha in your personal Sheng Chi direction (Feng Shui Kua Formula) will serve to help you achieve your goals.

When the Laughing Buddha is displayed in the Southeast region (Feng Shui Bagua Formula) of the main hall, dining room or bedroom of your home, he will bring family members windfall luck and increased income. For those in competitive careers or high positions, such as CEOs or politicians, a Feng Shui Laughing Buddha placed in the workplace or household will serve to summon luck and eliminate enemies‘ effects. It will also allow for a clear mind and reduction of tension.

To prevent betrayals and arguments with colleagues, display this Feng Shui product on your desk at work. This will also allow you to excel in your career. For students who are seeking to enhance educational luck, a Feng Shui Laughing Buddha positioned on the study desk will allow you to attain your academic aspirations.

It is for many reasons that the Laughing Buddha makes the perfect present for almost any auspicious occasions; for people you know who are suffering through misfortunes and bad luck, the Laughing Buddha would make a perfect good luck gift. Note that the laughing Buddha is highly revered in both Buddhism and Feng Shui, and so he should be treated with respect; never place him in the kitchen, in the bathroom or on the floor.

Also, you want the height of the Buddha to be at least eye level. Looking down at a deity is considered rude and disrespectful. Avoid placing near electrical outlets, elect or equipment with moving parts and motors. This type of activity disturbs the surrounding energy. Don’t put him on top of the TV. The tinny din will annoy him. Buddha's should never be placed on the floor as this is a sign of disrespect, the location of placing the Laughing Buddha is important.

It has to be placed at an height of some 30” approximate and should be facing the main door directly. The Laughing Buddha greets the energies that enter from the main gate and activates them manifold, and turns highly prosperous. If this location is not possible, the next best place to keep the Laughing Buddha is on a side table or a corner table, which is diagonally opposite to the main door and facing the door.

When the Laughing Buddha is seen playing with many children, (usually five in number) this symbolizes good fortune arriving from the heavens. Maitraya Buddha has long been associated with virtue of innocent joy, kindness and great gentleness. He is also associated with bringing good luck and an abundance of good Chi' when invited into ones home.

The meaning of sculptures depicting Buddha holding a bowl points to an essential part of a monk’s life - it is a begging bowl and represents the idea that monks live off what is given or donated by others. There is also a story associated with Buddha and the begging bowl. It is said that as Buddha came close to reaching enlightenment and young woman gave him a bowl of milk rice, however at this time Buddha was fasting.

Realizing that his fasting had weakened his body and he would require more nourishment in order to attain enlightenment he accepted. Having reached enlightenment he discarded the little remaining contents of the bowl symbolizing his detachment form material possessions. The link between the renunciation of material possessions and reaching enlightenment plays a prominent part in Buddhist philosophy. Budai holds the bowl above his head to receive abundance from the heavens.

A laughing Hotei Buddha with a fan is a symbol of happiness and joy. Some scenes the Laughing Buddha may be found sitting on a cart drawn by boys, or wielding a fan called an Oogi. The Wish-Giving Fan symbolizes happiness. Budai waves the fan to banish troubles.

Sculptures of Buddha with a sack usually depicts Hotei Buddha. Hotei, meaning ‘cotton sack’ is the representation of the travelling Buddha. It is said that he wanders the world collecting people’s sadness and woes and putting them in his sack. The sack is also said to represent wealth and good fortune.

The beads, known as a ‘mala,’ represent never-ending meditation practice, even when engaged in worldly activities. The ball has various meanings, the more popular one is that the ball is a wealth ball which brings wealth and prosperity. Other meanings include medicine balls, pearls of wisdom, and a peach or apricot representing health and prosperity. Also thought to represent a pearl. It is a symbol of the greatest treasure of all, wisdom.

Buddha Statues come in a wide variety of different positions/poses; the most common is the Buddha sitting in love and compassion. This is the position of Love and symbolizes perfect balance of thought and tranquillity. Buddha with a money bag and a gold ingot represents wealth and good fortune. The Standing Happy Buddha brings riches and happiness.

Buddha sitting on a large gold nugget with a smaller nugget in his hand ready for giving to others. This position of the Laughing Buddha is symbolic of good luck. Buddha sitting with his fan hat on his head represents enjoyment and good fortune. Buddha holding a gold ingot with his hands upright signifies abundant riches and good luck.

Buddha with a fan in one hand and wu lou (bottle gourd) in the other hand brings blessings and good health. The fan wards off misfortune while the wu lou protects from illness. Buddha carrying a bag of gold on his shoulder symbolizes prosperity. Buddha carrying a bag of blessings on his right shoulder and a fan in his left hand protects you and keeps you safe during long journeys. Buddha with a travel stick in his hand protects you from harm during journeys.