Venerable Sirs,

My curiosity about the identity of THE LAUGHING BUDDHA , seen in the entrances of some temples, led me to several articles on this deity. The articles referred to Him as BUDAI,  who is used by some Buddhists as a representation of the BODDHISATTVA MAITREYA , who is the predicted Buddha to succeed SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA. The articles stated that MAITREYA’S coming will occur after the teachings of SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA, i.e. the DHARMA, are no longer taught and are completely forgotten.

My question is:  Is it possible that these predictions may have been the source of some member discussions, regarding the DHARMA-ENDING AGE , that have appeared on this website?.

Amituofo

newcomer1 - 08 December 2008 03:49 AM

My question is:  Is it possible that these predictions may have been the source of some member discussions, regarding the DHARMA-ENDING AGE , that have appeared on this website?.

the dharma-ending age and the buddha’s prediction of maitreya go hand-in-hand.

the “dharma-ending age” or the “decline of the sasana” must be fully completed before another buddha will appear and teach on the earth. reason being with one buddha’s teachings already known in the world, having another may only confuse people due to their way of expressing the dharma to unrealized people. arguments over which is right and whatnot may occur.

so a time of spiritual darkness is the best time for another buddha to appear and make the dharma known again. that will have the greatest impact on saving countless beings. shakyamuni buddha predicted maitreya bodhisattva currently residing in tusita heaven to become the next buddha.

it is believed that one of his lifetimes was in the tang dynasty of china as a traveling monk who carried a cloth sack filled with food, toys, gold, and such which he would give out to people. “cloth bag” in chinese is bùdài 布袋. that is where he got the nickname “cloth bag monk” (chin.: bùdài héshang 布袋和尚). but he is also known as mílèfó 弥勒佛, maitreya buddha. already referring to him as a buddha out of respect for his future position, although now he is a bodhisattva.

his robust figure represents his generosity and compassion, while his smiling/laughing face encourages us to always have a positive attitude in any circumstance. like the statue of him that never changes expression.

Thank you LFJ,

I am sure other members, new to Buddhism,  will be just as intrigued as I was to learn that Gautama Buddha had named his succesor.

My interest in the jolly Laughing Buddha came about when I recently aquired a small figure of him sitting on an elongated narrow platform decorated with flowers. Hence my research.

In a subsequent article it was said ” the Laughing Buddha emerged from Chinese folktales of the 10th century. The original stories of the Laughing Buddha centered on a Ch’an monk named Ch’i-t’zu, or Qieci, from Fenghua, in what is now the province of Zhejiang. Ch’i-t’zu was an eccentric but much-loved character who worked small wonders such as predicting the weather. According to tradition, just before Ch’i-t’zu died he revealed himself to be an incarnation of Maitreya Buddha. Maitreya is named in the Tripitaka as the Buddha of a future age”.

Source; ABOUT.COM:BUDDHISM.  The Laughing Buddha, by Barbara o’Brien

this chinese “laughing buddha” depiction of maitreya is one of my favorites. gotta love his attitude. :o) i have several of his statues on my altar. more than others. seeing a happy smiling face has a large impact on one’s mood. it works much like the domino effect when used in public. very simple and yet very strong.

Amituofo LFJ

He certainly is a happy looking chappie!. Until recently, I was in the antiques business. During that time I came upon a large wooden carved chubby buddha that weighed around 2 lbs. He was hunched over with his head in his hands and his shoulders very rounded. He apparantly was a “Worry Buddha”??.  It was said by some that this was the Buddha that took upon himself all the worries of the person who rubbed his shoulders. Obviously, his shoulders were very smooth with many hands that had rubbed them. It was amazing at the number of Asian people, who were browsing in the store, that did just that.  Was this a version of Maitreya Buddha as he looked very similar in physical stature (except for being bent over)?. What, if anything, did this buddha symbolize?.

first of all, although it is marketed as a “weeping buddha”, this is not a buddha. its a rishi practicing a technique of sensory deprivation. the yoga position should have the thumbs in the ears, fingers in the nostrils and covering the eyes.

shakyamuni buddha is said to have practiced techniques like this, of course prior to his awakening, the account of which is written in the majjhima nikaya.

Very interesting LFJ,    Cheers!

What is a rishi?

the dictionary definition says;

rishi (hinduism): a divinely inspired poet or sage in india, sometimes regarded as a saint.

Up to now I don’t understand why Bodhisattva Maitreja as well as other Bodhisattvas and Buddhas are depicted with such fat bodies, specially in China. Can’t find anything beautiful or positive in this fatness. For me it does not stand for moderation or restraint, but much more for exaggeration in consuming, unawareness, lack of any natural sensibility for what is healthy for body and mind. Also I can’t connect fatnes with compassion and generosity, except with some mislead compassion and generosity towards one’sssself.
And, LFJ,  concerning this Bodhisattva’s mostly laughing face: emotion is emotion is emotion ... and why connect “a positive attitude in any circumstances” (in a buddhist meaning) with always laughing/smiling ...?

With sun and moon and alll the stars

Omituofo

you have to lighten up a bit. :D

the chinese depiction of maitreya is kind of like santa claus. he doesnt represent self-indulgence. rather he represents giving. its not so much a literal depiction, its more of an expression. his jolly figure is supposed to represent him being “filled” with compassion and generosity, not depicting him as a gluttonous man. you must have a little imagination, like the chinese.

why connect a positive attitude in any situation with always laughing/smiling? not sure what you mean. would you connect this sort of attitude with a frown or indifferent expression? smiling expresses contentment and happiness. it also works like the domino effect. if you meet someone and smile saying hello, they’ll feel that and likely smile too, then pass it on. this chinese depiction of maitreya reminds us of that power.