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Table of Contents

1. The meaning and history of the Laughing Buddha

- The origin of the Laughing Buddha
- The legend of the adopted son in Fenghua
- The symbolism and tradition of the Laughing Buddha

2. Different types of Laughing Buddha and their meanings

- Laughing Buddha and children
- Laughing Buddha holding a fan
- Laughing Buddha holding a bowl
- Laughing Buddha carrying a bag
- Laughing Buddha with beads
- Laughing Buddha raising his hands
- Laughing Buddha in different postures and their symbolism

3. The placement and direction of the Laughing Buddha in the home

- The direction of the homeowner's anger
- The role of the east position
- Laughing Buddha on the desk
- Laughing Buddha in the children's room
- Laughing Buddha placed outdoors

4. Precautions when placing the Laughing Buddha

- The Laughing Buddha should not be below eye level
- Avoid placing it in the bathroom and storage room
- The Laughing Buddha should face the front door
- Respect for the Laughing Buddha and daily maintenance

 

In Feng Shui, the Laughing Buddha is one of the most popular and commonly used amulets, widely used to enhance prosperity, good luck, happiness, health, and wealth.

The Laughing Buddha is unique in that it is one of the few Feng Shui remedies that benefits all Feng Shui Bagua areas, making it popular.

But what does the Laughing Buddha really mean? Why does the Buddha laugh? Isn’t the sacred Buddha supposed to be peaceful and tranquil?

This article will delve into the meaning and history of the Laughing Buddha, the different types of Laughing Buddhas, and how to use this Feng Shui remedy to improve your fortune.

The origin of the Laughing Buddha

There are many versions of the origin of the Laughing Buddha, but the most widely circulated theory comes from a Chinese folk tale from the 10th century AD. The story revolves around a Zen monk named Qizi (or Qizi) in what is now Fenghua, Zhejiang.

Chechi is known for his eccentric and easy-going personality, and is deeply loved by local people. He often performed small miracles, such as predicting the weather, which attracted large crowds. Historical records show that there was indeed a person who lived here between 907 and 923 AD.

People think that Chichi is the incarnation of Sakyamuni, so they call him "Budai" or "Putai", which means "sack" because he carries a bag full of gifts, such as candies for children, giving Poor man's food etc. The image of the bag became a symbol of generosity, wealth and happiness, while the Laughing Buddha became the guardian of the poor, the weak and children.

Today, we can see the image of the Laughing Buddha at the entrance to most Chinese Buddhist temples. Folk custom is to rub the belly of the Laughing Buddha for good luck, although this is traditional rather than Buddhist teaching.

It is worth mentioning that the Laughing Buddha does not refer to the real Buddha Gautama Siddhartha (Sakyamuni), but is regarded as his reincarnation, called Maitreya Buddha.

Laughing Buddha with Children

This is one of the most common Laughing Buddha statues, usually depicting the Laughing Buddha playing with five (or more) children. It symbolizes prosperity and family harmony, and is suitable for those who wish to have children or increase family happiness.

Laughing Buddha Holding a Fan

The fan symbolizes happiness, and it is said that waving a fan can dispel worries and bring good luck to the owner. The Laughing Buddha is often accompanied by a gourd, which is particularly suitable for those who are experiencing health problems. This combination is believed to bring health and good luck.

Laughing Buddha Holding a Bowl

The Laughing Buddha holding a bowl symbolizes the life of a monk, representing letting go of material pursuits and pursuing inner peace. It is suitable for people who are anxious, stressed or have nightmares to help improve their mental state.

Laughing Buddha Carrying a Bag

The Laughing Buddha is depicted carrying a bag on his back, symbolizing a traveler. This bag collects people's sorrow and bad luck and can take away negative energy. This type of Laughing Buddha may also carry a bag of treasure, bringing good luck to those who are experiencing financial difficulties.

Laughing Buddha with Beads

The beads symbolize wisdom and can bring protection and blessings to the wearer. The Laughing Buddha sometimes also holds a money ball, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.

Laughing Buddha raises his hands

This Laughing Buddha is believed to bring career advancement and success. Suitable for placing in the office or desk to inspire workers. The Laughing Buddha sometimes holds two balls in his hands, symbolizing wealth, good luck and prosperity.

In addition, the common postures of the Laughing Buddha include:

- Sitting posture: symbolizes tranquility and mental balance, represents loving protection for the poor and children, and symbolizes prosperity.
- Standing posture: symbolizes happiness and abundance.
- Hands on the head: symbolizes joy, happiness and good luck.
- Upright posture: holding gold nuggets in both hands, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
- Bag on the right shoulder: A fan on the left shoulder symbolizes the protection of long-distance travel.

These different types of Laughing Buddha images not only enrich the cultural connotation of the Laughing Buddha, but also adapt to people's various needs in career, family, health and other aspects.

There are some common placements and directions for worshipping the Laughing Buddha as a Feng Shui talisman at home:

Daily “Tummy Touching” Ritual

Many people rub the belly of the Laughing Buddha every day, believing that this positive action will make the Buddha happy and fulfill their wishes. It is recommended to choose a larger Laughing Buddha statue (at least 2 to 3 feet tall) so that you can touch its belly and enjoy the happiness brought by the interactive ritual.

Placement and Direction

1. The Homeowner’s Angry Direction
Everyone has an “angry” direction, and placing the Laughing Buddha in the homeowner’s angry direction can add positive energy and promote prosperity in career, wealth and life.

2. East
The east of the house is considered to be the direction of family harmony. Placing the Laughing Buddha in the east not only brings happiness and harmony, but also helps family members maintain a good mental state and reduce family disputes.

3. Desk
Placing a Laughing Buddha on a desk in the work area can help career development and enhance career opportunities. Students’ desks are also suitable for placing small Laughing Buddha statues to increase concentration and improve academic performance while reducing disputes among colleagues or classmates.

4. Children's Room
As a guardian deity of children, the Laughing Buddha can be placed in a child's room facing the door to provide peace and protection.

5. Outdoors
The Laughing Buddha is also suitable for placement in the garden or balcony. If there is a pool or fountain in the home, placing it near these water bodies can help promote happiness. Placing it next to flowering plants can bring spiritual growth and a joyful atmosphere.

These placement suggestions not only help to add a peaceful atmosphere to the home, but also bring good luck, health and prosperity.

There are a few things to keep in mind when placing the Laughing Buddha:

1. Don't let the Laughing Buddha fall below eye level
The Laughing Buddha should be placed above eye level to show respect. Looking down at the Buddha is considered disrespectful.

2. Avoid placing it in the bathroom
The Laughing Buddha should not be placed in "negative energy" rooms such as bathrooms, toilets, storage rooms, kitchens and laundry rooms, nor on the floor or on the TV.

3. Facing the main door
The best placement is to place the Laughing Buddha at least 30 inches above the ground, facing the main door. If it is not possible to directly face the main door, you can also place the Laughing Buddha on the side of the main door or on a table.

4. Keep it respectful
As a symbol of honor in Feng Shui and Buddhism, the Laughing Buddha should be kept clean. Wipe it regularly and don't place it in a dirty or messy room to maintain its dignity and sacredness.

These placement taboos help add positive energy, good luck and peace.

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