Laughing Buddha Statue Seated on Pile of Coins

This laughing Buddha statue in red and gold is the Chinese Hotei (Ho Tai), a monk of the Later Liang Dynasty from around 900 AD. He is seen as the incarnation of the Maitreya Bodhisattva or 'future Buddha.' He protects the weak, impoverished and young and removes the sorrow from the citizens of the world. Hotei was revered for his generosity and was known to carry a sack of goodies such as candy every where he went. In this Laughing Buddha statue, he stands on a mountain of coins as a sign of financial good fortune.

In Chinese culture, the laughing Buddha statue is often placed in the home or office to honor the Buddha and bring about wealth and prosperity. The Buddha's big belly is a sign of wealth. No business or home should be without a Laughing Buddha statue if they wish to prosper.