Happy Buddha Hotei Figurine with Candy Sack, Antique Gold and Red, 3 in

Little Hotei Brings Cheer: the Happy Buddha Hotei

The Happy Buddha Hotei has a broad smile, a round belly, and a sack of gifts. This miniature shows the wandering monk seated on a bag of coins and carrying his cloth sack. Hand-painted antique red and gold give the Laughing Buddha statue a warm look.

Product Details

• Design: Hotei carrying his candy sack, seated on a bag of coins
• Material: Resin and stone composite
• Finish: Hand-painted antique red and gold
• Dimensions: 3 1/8 in H x 2 1/2 in W x 2 1/2 in D
• Weight: Approximately 6 oz

Who Is Hotei?

Hotei is also called Budai, Ho Tai, or Hotai. He was a wandering Chinese monk of the Later Liang Dynasty, between 907 and 923 AD. The name Budai means cloth sack. This candy sack figurine shows the bag that made him famous. He gave treats to children and to people in need.

A Budai Maitreya Incarnation

Many followers believed the monk was a Budai Maitreya incarnation. Maitreya is the Future Buddha, who will appear in a later age. A note dated 917 AD names him as such. Because of that link, the Happy Buddha Hotei became a welcome figure in temples.

From China to Japan

Chan Buddhist monks carried his story to Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. In Japan he is called Hotei. This Laughing Buddha statue uses the Japanese name, though the story began in China. A Budai Maitreya incarnation in any country keeps the same generous spirit.

Sharing and Prosperity

The sack of coins and the sack of candy tell one story of giving. The coins nod to the wish for prosperity, and the candy recalls the children. A candy sack figurine like this reminds us that generosity is its own wealth. The Happy Buddha Hotei smiles as he shares.

Display and Care

This Happy Buddha Hotei weighs approximately 6 oz, so it is easy to move from shelf to desk. Keep the hand-painted finish away from damp and from harsh cleaners. A soft cloth is enough. Many people set a small figure like this beside a plant or a lamp. The Laughing Buddha statue then becomes a small focal point in the room.

This Happy Buddha Hotei is about 3 in tall and weighs approximately 6 oz. It suits a desk, a shelf, or a windowsill. Dust it gently with a soft cloth. See more of our Asian Art Collection, including the seated Ho Tai statue.

Images of Hotei appear in homes, shops, and temples across East Asia. A Laughing Buddha statue of this size brings that tradition to a shelf. Place the candy sack figurine where you will see it often. Popular belief calls him a Budai Maitreya incarnation.

For More Reading

• Learn how the monk of 907 to 923 became a Maitreya figure. Budai - Wikipedia
• Read a scholar on who the Laughing Buddha is. Who is the Laughing Buddha? - University of Tennessee Religious Studies
• Find the place of happiness in Buddhist teaching. Happiness - Lion's Roar