Laughing Buddha Statue Seated on Bag

This Laughing Buddha statue in red and gold is the Chinese Ho Tai (Hotei), 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 much loved for his unending generosity. In this statue, the Hotei sits atop his bag of treats. He was known to carry a sack wherever he went that was filled with treats and candy that he shared with all of the children he met. He is a symbol not only of generosity, but of good fortune and financial success.

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.