2006-10-18 12:27:32 · 14 answers · asked by Christine4tw 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The disrespect shown by the comments left leave me with a feeling of concern for those who leave said comments.
The fat laughing Buddha is actually NOT Buddha. His name is Hotei (Japanese), (or in Chinese, Pu-Tai) the fat laughing monk.
It is perhaps the most misunderstood concept regarding buddhism.
The person whom most buddhists recognize as "Buddha" is Siddhartha Gautama. "Buddha" simply means "awakened one".
Hotei was a bodhisattva, which is basically the buddhist equivalent to a saint. It is important to note that not all forms of buddhism recognize Hotei. The gist is that hotei was at one time a monk and is believed to be a future incarnation of Buddha, and will be called Maitreya.
Western ignorance and refusal to learn about non-christians are the ones who created the concept that the "fat buddha" represents good luck and fortune.
Again, he is NOT a buddha, nor does he symbolize anything in the buddhist philosophy.
There are other eastern religions which may see the "fat monk" as a sign of prosperity, but they do not see him as a buddha either.
2006-10-18 12:28:30 · answer #1 · answered by the_dude 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, the fat laughing buddha symbolizes wealth and good luck. If he is standing with a back on his back, he is good luck in travel.
2006-10-18 12:30:37 · answer #2 · answered by Mo the treehugger! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's a happy junk food junkie.
2006-10-18 12:29:00 · answer #3 · answered by Olivia 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That I went to a Japanese resteraunt and had a drink.
2006-10-18 12:30:11 · answer #4 · answered by Miss Vicki 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
thats satan laughing at you, makin the budda look so fun and interesting that you lose your soul
2006-10-18 12:31:35 · answer #5 · answered by shiningstarr32 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That Buddhism is a joke
2006-10-18 12:29:29 · answer #6 · answered by Chris C 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Do you mean the Buddha?
2006-10-18 12:30:48 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ive always thought it meant fortune...forgive me if I'm mistaken.
2006-10-18 12:30:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
peace
2006-10-18 12:30:27 · answer #9 · answered by chaos hellbound 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If someone bowed down to you, what would you do?
2006-10-18 12:29:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋