SpiritWeb: Something To Contemplate: "Laughing Buddha" Statues or Teachings of The Buddha...

With the introduction of @ecotrain 's new sister community, SpiritWeb, a community to share and discuss Spirit, Spiritual Matters, and Esoteric Knowledge, @eco-alex gave us something to contemplate - more here

Why is it the Buddha can laugh?

If you knew the way out of suffering, would you not be released from your miseries and more joyous?

This is what the Buddha realized and out of his compassion began to teach people the Four Noble Truths of

Suffering, the Cause of Suffering, the Cessation of Suffering, and the Way Out of Suffering which is the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path consists of

• Right Understanding
• Right Thought
• Right Speech
• Right Action
• Right Livelihood
• Right Effort
• Right Mindfulness
• Right Concentration

I found when I put these into play and developed a daily meditation practice, I became more peaceful, focused, and kind.

Also I would enter into my meditation seeking to continue on the path of awakening and experience Nibbanic Peace and Joy, and I was indeed more joyful.

I noticed even a physical change in my demure and my face changed from being a long face to having an upturned mouth and happy face. So much so that even the kids at school noticed it for when they were asked to write something about each staff member for staff appreciation week mine was

Always Smiling!

Now back to the laughing Buddha -

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I was more accustom to seeing images of the Buddha with a peaceful and serene look as below:

And most of my recollection of seeing the Laughing Buddha statues and such was when I visited stores in China Town and there was a vast array of "Laughing Buddha" statues.

This had me wondering, why these "Laughing Buddhas" - who was this "Laughing Buddha" who did not appear like the Gautama Buddha I was familiar with.

Thanks to Wikipedia I found out the origins of the "Laughing Buddha" and who he was:

Budai (also known as Hotei or Pu-Tai) is a semi-historical Chinese monk who is venerated as a deity in Chinese Buddhism and was also introduced into the Japanese Buddhist pantheon. He allegedly lived around the 10th century in the Wuyue kingdom. His name literally means "cloth sack", and refers to the bag that he is conventionally depicted as carrying as he wanders aimlessly. His jolly nature, humorous personality, and eccentric lifestyle distinguish him from most Buddhist masters or figures. He is almost always shown smiling or laughing, hence his nickname in Chinese, the "Laughing Buddha". As he is traditionally depicted as fat, he is also referred to as the "Fat Buddha"

3 Different Types of "Laughing Buddha" Statues

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Also in my search I found these "Laughing Buddha" statues etc. were suppose to brings good luck, abundance and contentment and were used in Feng Shui with the different types of "Laughing Buddhas" to be used strategically to bring different benefits.

I think I will stay with my meditation practice and the Buddha's teachings as too relying on "Laughing Buddha" statues!

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