Wood
laughing buddha in black wood
heavy solid wood
all woodenKnown as Hotei (Japan) and Pu-Tai (China), these figures embody the ideals of the good life: i.e. health, happiness, prosperity and longevity.
They represent the later Buddhist notions that the good life was indeed attainable in this world. It consisted of self-mastery, a happy demeanor, purposeful endeavor, a deep commitment to the welfare of others and enlightened awareness.
Scholars believe that the Laughing Buddha is in fact modeled on an historical figure, a fat wandering Zen monk named Pu-tai. All sources describe him as obese, with wrinkled forehead, and a white protruding belly which he left uncovered. There was another feature of his bodily appearance that captured attention. Wherever he went, he wore a pu-tai (Japanese Hotei) or cloth-bag. Thus he came to be known as Pu-tai Hoshang or hemp-bag monk.
Legend has it that in this bag he carried candy for the children. Over the centuries within China, Buddhist notions of happiness based on self-mastery and enlightened insight were fused with popular Chinese life-ideals of happiness through material prosperity, thus today the hemp sack may be interpreted as filled with gold, filled with happiness, health, and other aspects of abundance.
Those are great collections, and thanks for the information too, wenn!
ReplyDeleteGood collection and I know it's expensive too..
ReplyDeleteOoo....interesting.
ReplyDeleteKeep smiling...
ReplyDeletethis must be one of your interest, wenn..
ReplyDeleteNice collections, laughing Buddha, my favourite figure too!
ReplyDeleteAll I know is that he is called the laughing buddha? :p
ReplyDeleteGood information...and this should help most of us to live a good and reflective life...no corruption ? No greed?
ReplyDeleteI like this collection, Wenn!
ReplyDeleteBetty xx
Lovely collection! Very interesting as well. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHe is in my house (my boat) too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling me the story of my honored guest, Wenn
Aloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
Nice Buddha.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and nice statues, Wenn. They inspire with joy indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. Yup, the laughing Buddha wuz later associated with the coming Buddha, Maitreya ("Maitri" is sanskrit for loving kindness). The original description of Maitreya in Tibet and India depict him as lean figured and in a sitting position (which meant inspired to take over from Sakyamuni Buddha). :)
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I love your laughing Buddhas! Reminds me of my grandfather, who was a bit round and had the most infectious laugh! Anyway, the two wood tones make for a beautiful display.
ReplyDeletewow... that will creep me out hahahaha
ReplyDeleteGreat choises!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have the laughing buddha at home too!
ReplyDeleteGoodNess! The wood itself on Both of the pieces is Gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteI Love these!!! Now I need a Buddha!!LOL
hughugs
Nice collection of Buddhas! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI've learned something new today! Thank you for sharing the info. Beautiful collection! Precious! :)
ReplyDeleteNot only are the photos great but I learned a little something that I didn't know. Thanks for including all the information. I think I need a little Buddah on my nightstand :)
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful! I remember as a little kid my grandmother had one at the summer camp the family would go to. I wish I knew what drew her to it. As a child you don't realize they won't always be around to ask these things.
ReplyDeletei believe there are meaning to this buddhas right? can you tell me?
ReplyDeleteI just love these fat laughing buddhas ! I have one which makes me smile or even laugh all the time I look at him. Kids are climbing all over him and his fat belly. At least these buddhas cheer me up !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful wood buddhas! Thanks for the very interesting write up on them. I really like the laughing Buddha!
ReplyDeleteLet me tell you a secret. When I was pregnant with my children, I used to stroke the heads of this particular Buddha figure everytime I see them because I was told that it will encourage happy pregnancies and even more happy babies!! After a while, I just got into the habit of stroking it. Love it! X
ReplyDeleteI love the statues! Seeing Buddas always makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteSee the statue & on automatic mode one will be happy or even laughing :-)
ReplyDeleteThose statues are happy!
ReplyDeleteThose are lovely carvings! Thank you for the explanation behind the design. That is quite interesting!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Thank you for the sharing the values as well!
ReplyDeleteWenn: Very nice artistry on the statues.
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