Gold Happy Buddha Statue - Budai Reclining on His Sack, Gold and Red, 2.5 in

Gold Happy Buddha Statue Laughing on His Treasure Sack

This gold Happy Buddha statue shows Budai leaning back against a swollen cloth sack, laughing with his mouth open. His head, belly, and sack are finished in antique gold. A deep red robe covers his shoulders and knee, rubbed back to show gold in the folds. One hand holds a small ingot. The other rests on his knee, with a strand of large prayer beads trailing to the base.

Product Details

• Material: Resin
• Finish: Gold and Red
• Dimensions: 2.5 in H x 4.5 in L x 2 in D
• Weight: 0.7 lbs
• Collection: Asian Art
• Product number: O-088GR

The Monk Who Carried a Cloth Sack

Budai means cloth sack. The name belonged to a wandering Chan Buddhist monk of the Later Liang dynasty, remembered as Qieci. A note dated 28 March 917 names him an incarnation of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future. Chan monks carried his story to Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. In Japan he became Hotei.

Gilt, Lacquer, and the Ingot

Ming dynasty gilt-bronze figures of Budai often show a sack of cash in one hand. Prayer beads fill the other. Makers cast them in the 16th and 17th centuries. This lucky Buddha statue follows that pattern in resin. On Mongolian brass Budai figures of the 18th century, the ingot symbolizes plenty. A Japanese ceramic of the mid-19th century, finished in gold and lacquer, shows Hotei dozing on his treasures. Any lucky Buddha statue of this type descends from those gilded images.

Red and Gold at the New Year

Red and gold are the colors of Lunar New Year, tied to luck and wealth. Budai's round belly stands for abundance and contentment. This gold Happy Buddha statue joins both ideas in a small Buddha figurine made for a desk. Budai figures are often placed where people enter or gather. A Budai wealth statue like this one carries that welcome indoors.

The same figure also comes in antique white, finished more like pale carved stone. For another wealth-themed Budai, see the Happy Buddha on a pile of coins in our Asian Art Collection.

Placement and Care

At 4.5 in long and 0.7 lbs, this small Buddha figurine suits a shelf, windowsill, or desk. Dust it with a soft cloth. Keep the gold Happy Buddha statue away from damp and harsh scrubbing.

Chan, Zen, and the Seven Lucky Gods

Chan Buddhism reached Japan around the 13th century as Zen. Zen painters adopted Budai as a figure of ease and awakening. He later appeared among the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan, where he is known as Hotei. His image still travels as a Budai wealth statue and a gold Happy Buddha statue.

For More Reading from the Web

• Trace the monk, his sack, and his many names. Budai - Wikipedia
• See a Ming gilt-bronze Budai holding his sack of cash and beads. A Large Gilt-Bronze Figure of Seated Budai - Christie's
• Compare a Mongolian brass Budai holding an ingot of plenty. Unusual Pair of Mongolian Beaten Brass Images of Budai - Michael Backman Ltd