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The Laughing Buddha
The Laughing Buddha, also known as "Milefo", "The Loving One", "The Friendly One", "Hotei", "Pu-Tai", "Buddha of Happiness", "The Happy Buddha", "Matrieya", "Budai Luohan" and had his origins in 10th Century China as a guy called Chi-tzu.
Anyone here who is able to enlighten me as to the significance of the Laughing Buddha? Stories about him?
And just another question, does anyone know of this figure also being called the Mahatma Buddha?
Thanks
Anyone here who is able to enlighten me as to the significance of the Laughing Buddha? Stories about him?
And just another question, does anyone know of this figure also being called the Mahatma Buddha?
Thanks
0
Comments
He is based on Chinese folklore:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budai
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budai
(It's not difficult.....)
No.
'Mahatma' is merely a Hindu expression of respect for a revered Sage or Guru.
This would be Indian, not Chinese.
Half the statues sold as Buddha at import shopts are fat little laughing Hotei, instead. I was attracted to the Crazy Monk archetype he represented, since I was flush into my rebellion stage from these oh-so-serious Holy War teachings from my youth. I don't think any other religion has anything like this.
This is another popular Buddha which the Chinese worship, Ji Gong. Yes worship.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ji_Gong
From where I come from, we have mediums inviting the Spirit of Ji Gong to possess their bodies, so as to interact with His devotees. I witnessed in person once such a possession when I was a small kid.
BTW, he likes to wine and dine.
Cheers!
Because you make me laugh ahha
Mario was on vacation with his family. They went to a place with a pool of water. Since he was in a foreign place, Mario stayed close by his family. They went to the market together and had a great time. On vacation, they could stay up late playing games, watching movies, and eating snacks. It was always the BEST time EVER! “I’m in love with this family we’ve created,” the parents said to each other. Mario thought there was nobody who he could love more than his parents.
Then there was PEACH. She was a princess. She always knew how to get what she wanted, and she really wanted MARIO. She knew MARIO. He knew her too, but he always forgot who she was. One thing’s for sure though… whenever you put PEACH and MARIO together, things just seemed to go so much better than when they were apart. They always seemed to find each other, too. The two were destined to be together. Rumor has it they were even babies together.
Anyway, Peach came to the place by the pool of water and made her entrance to enchant Mario, who was away from his family at the time. “Whoa, who are you?” Mario asked. “I’m supposed to be with you. Remember?” Peach said. “We’re supposed to be together?” Mario asked. “No,” Peach replied, “We’re supposed to be GREAT together!” Now the Lord saw the way that Peach and Mario were together and devised a plan. “To be great together,” the Lord interjected, “you must have a great test. But first, you must listen to the dragon. He wishes to test you as well – he wants to see if you are ready or not to be together. You must appease him. Remember… I’ll be watching.”
Now Bowser was a dragon. He had many followers. He seemed like a really nice dragon for the most part, but he had hidden intentions in some of the things he did. He wanted everything everyone else had, so you had to keep giving him treats to make him happy. He saw the way that Peach and Mario were together and disapproved. “If you two are truly meant to be together,” the dragon said, “then you will let the other have their own space.”
He ordered that Peach and Mario be pulled apart. Peach and Mario started to question the dragon. “Why do you want us to be apart?” The dragon said nothing. He just kept them apart. Mario threw a tantrum. He cried, “I want my Peach!” Peach said, “I want you too, Mario, but you have to listen to the dragon. Remember?” Mario wouldn’t listen though. Not even Peach could appease him, and his reaction certainly did not please the dragon. Luigi, Yoshi, and Toad tried to calm Mario down, but they knew they couldn’t do anything beyond that. Dragon’s orders. “You got your treat!” Mario continued, “Now leave us alone.” The dragon and his followers left, leaving Mario and Peach. They thought they were safe, but they failed the test. Thus, they could only be together for so long. They were only at the beginning of their true test………
by Jeff Buckley
It sounds just like a scream
I don't know what you mean
Your witchcraft's all around me
In your ragged pagan scene
You tell me all the ways around my garden that you like
I float just like a bubble
Heading for a spike
All is well between the breasts of passenger and slave
We'll never make it out alive to join
The witches' rave
You'd like to see him suffer
For you fantasy and thrill
He fell sick while we made love
He's out there, somewhere, still
Oh I feel the spell that you have cast, hot, pink, nasty
Bubble gum, coming down just like a big red coal
I can't help from looking
Outside for a guarantee
I can't help from looking
Outside for a guarantee
Hey! I try to keep all hidden
When you come around
Oh, no! The sight of broomsticks
Sliding on the ground
You're levitating something
'Cause I feel so collectible
We're all lying natural
He's watching from a window up above
I see he loves you, I'll bring you closer
Something in my fate says it's not right for me
Tell me
Am I cursed or am I blessed?
I can't tell, oh yes!
'Cause all is well between the breasts of
Passenger and slave
I'll never make it out alive to join
The witches' rave
I can't help from looking
Outside for a guarantee
I can't help from looking
Outside for a guarantee
I can't help from looking
Outside for a guarantee
I can't help from looking
Outside for a guarantee
I can't help from looking
Outside for a guarantee
I can't help from looking
Outside for a guarantee
For a guarantee
Hee. ^_^
(For some reason, I keep imagining Robert DeNiro as Travis Bickle doing the monk's line
Just glad it doesnt encourage you to order ANOTHER kebab!
Anyway, many thanks to everyone here who has responded. I will certainly look up Wikipedia, and give the poem here and the story a detailed read......
Just loved the image of the kiddies climbing all over him, thanks!
Just to mention, my second question concerning the name "mahatma" was asked because on another forum I was told quite strongly - even forcefully - by someone claiming to be well versed in the Qabalah (and much else) that because I was not familiar with that particular name for the Laughing Buddha I could actually know nothing about Buddhism. He insists that is the genuine name for him, and associates it also with some story about monks drinking at the fountain and a disdain for asceticism in general.
Anyway, whats in a name.........:p
Thanks again, though please carry on. I do find this image/character loveable, even significant in many ways.
Stop hanging around forums :P (puts tongue firmly back in cheek...) :buck:
Huh..interesting. And yet...the term was never mentioned in my class on eastern religion or any of the books I've read on Buddhism, and yet I like to think I know a little bit about Buddhism.:rolleyes: Besides, mahatma is an honorific that can be, and has been, used for people of various faiths, not just Buddhism. Mohandas Gandhi is sometimes called Mahatma Gandhi, and he was technically Hindu.
Unfortunately, they are not the worse things that I hang around.......:p
Artemis, I think perhaps he has actually made a simple mistake and got confused with maitreya.
But anyway, being very conceited, I just interpret his claim that I know nothing about Buddhism to my having a fine "beginners mind".
I kind of see you the same way but as Hughie (shoey) once reprimanded me, 'Don't go about polishing old shoey's ego!'
Thanks for reminder, tariki.