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There is a statue called the "Laughing Budda" at a lot of Chinese restaurants, I'll talk about him at the end of this note.
The concept of happiness in Buddhism as a strange one! Many see Buddhism as way of life that is filled with denial - can't have that, don't do that, can't eat any of that, sit and chant all day - and by extension Buddha and the Buddhists must be a somber and rather miserable crowd. This is the TV show and Hollywood movie stock Buddhist character! If you look at a living Buddha, the Dalai Lama, you will observe that although he has seen terrible things in his life he is quick to smile, laugh and joke.
Let's review the story of the Buddha.
The Buddha started his life as a Prince. He had no pain, lots of food, beautiful women as companions, a wonderful wife, and the respect and honor of his people. These things felt empty when he saw the sadness and suffering in the world - he was not happy with wealth and luxury. He then tried an extreme way of life based on the lack of comfort and food - no shelter, little clothing and only a few grains of rice a day to eat. This did not make him happy either.
He sat, meditated and came to the conclusion that there is a middle way - just like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, where she finds there is too hot and cold, too hard and soft but an option that is just right.
To Buddha this middle way is a happy way. You live a life eating enough, sleeping enough, caring for your fellow man. You are satisfied and your needs are met. At the same time you are not demanding too much and being greedy.
Since the Buddha lived this middle way until he was eighty I can only assume he was happy.
Now about the Buddha in Chinese restaurants. This happy fat man is know as Hotei. He is the incarnation of the Buddha that demonstrated the joy that comes from the love of children. His statue shows him carrying bags of candy, gold and often in the company of kids. No one can see Hotei and not think "No there is a man happy with life and his circumstances."
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Why are the statues of Buddha a fat happy faced man?
Because Buddha is a conspired a happy god.
What are the Buddha's goals in life?
to be happy
What percent of japan follow Buddha?
68% that is based on no fact i just want to make you happy
Who are some famous Buddhas?
There are lot of different versions of the Buddha that are Buddha's to come, those are called bodishaphas (not sure if I spelled that right so don't quote me on that). The only one I really know about is the happy Buddha, but the Happy Buddha is a fat man with long ears. This is not always the case but in the statue I have, he is sitting with one ha on his knee the other held aloft. He is definitely one of the more famous Buddhas (besides Siddhartha Gotamma).
Who are some significant leaders of Buddhism?
The original Buddha was a real living person, and credited for either founding the ideals, or rediscovering the teachings. Hotei was a Chinese, Buddhist monk often confused for the Buddha, and is the man whose image is used for the fat and happy 'Buddha' statues.
What is interesting about Buddha?
The big belly buddha is a round chubby man usually gold, with a happy grin on his face. Put gold coins underneath him or rub his belly to get good luck, hi-5
Is Buddha evil?
Evil emanates from the individual, not from any religion. NOT from any of the religions.
How many pages does Buddha Is As Buddha Does have?
Buddha Is As Buddha Does has 288 pages.
What are all the different types of Buddha statues?
the Most popular Buddha Statues are as follows, Shakyamuni buddha statues Medicine Buddha Statues Meditation Buddha Statues Laughing Buddha Statues Amitabha Buddha statues Blessing Buddha Statues Nirvana Buddha Statues Samantabadhra Buddha Statues Thai Buddha Statues Maitreya Buddha Statues Dhyani Buddha Statues Feng shui Buddha Statues Vairochana Buddha Statues Akshobhya Buddha Statues Standing Buddha Statues
When was Buddha Is As Buddha Does created?
Buddha Is As Buddha Does was created on 2008-02-26.
Why did Buddha start a religon?
I do not beleive that Siddhartha Gautama, The Buddha, was trying to start a religion per se, what he was trying to do is teach people how to be happy in a world when everything changes and we are driven by our desires. Others may describe it as a religion but it is really a way of life.
What is the ISBN of Buddha Is As Buddha Does?
The ISBN of Buddha Is As Buddha Does is 978-0-06-085953-4.
