{"product_id":"laughing-buddha-miniature","title":"Laughing Buddha Hotai on Coins Miniature Figurine, Antique Red and Gold, 3.5 in","description":"\u003ch2\u003eA Smile for Your Pocket: the Laughing Buddha Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHotai grins broadly on a pile of coins, with a round belly and a bag of candy. This Laughing Buddha miniature has an antique red and gold finish. It makes the tiny figure easy to spot on a shelf. It stands 3.5 in tall and weighs 0.3 lbs. That is small enough for a locker, a lunch box, or a desk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: Crushed stone and resin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinish: Antique red and gold\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 3.5 in H x 2.5 in W x 2.5 in D\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 0.3 lbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduct number: O-048GR\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho Is Hotai?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Happy Buddha is called Budai in China and Hotei in Japan. Spellings also include Ho Tai and Hotai. A Happy Buddha figurine often goes by all of these names. The name Budai means cloth sack. Tradition describes him as a Chinese monk of the Later Liang Dynasty, which ruled from 907 to 923 AD. He wandered with a sack and was loved by children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Monk Who Became Maitreya\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA note dated 917 AD names the Ho Tai monk as an incarnation of Maitreya, the future Buddha. That belief gave his laughing image a place in temples. Monks of the Chan school carried his story to Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. In Japan he is Hotei, and he appears among the Seven Lucky Gods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCoins, Candy, and a Big Belly\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis big belly stands for contentment. He sits on coins of prosperity, a sign of the wish for good fortune. The candy bag recalls the gifts he gave to children. This Laughing Buddha miniature turns those ideas into a small, cheerful figure. The coins of prosperity beneath him make the message easy to read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Laughing Face Takes Time\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Princeton University Art Museum holds a rubbing of a stone carving dated 1088. It shows Budai with a sad grimace. The laughing version came later. A Happy Buddha figurine like this one belongs to that later, cheerful tradition. The Ho Tai monk of today is almost always smiling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Laughing Buddha miniature fits in a pocket, a locker, or on a desk. It weighs only 0.3 lbs, so it travels easily. Dust it with a soft dry brush. See more of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.museumize.com\/collections\/asian-art\"\u003eAsian Art Collection\u003c\/a\u003e, including the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.museumize.com\/products\/happy-buddha-ho-tai-reclining-statue-miniature-gold-and-red-o-088gr\"\u003ereclining Ho Tai miniature\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall figures are easy to give a place of honor. Set this Laughing Buddha miniature where you see it each morning. The coins of prosperity make a cheerful start to the day. The Happy Buddha figurine invites a smile from the Ho Tai monk himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFor More Reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead how the laughing monk became Maitreya in popular belief. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Budai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eBudai - Wikipedia\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSee the early rubbing of a sad faced Budai from 1088. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/artmuseum.princeton.edu\/collections\/objects\/57546\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eRubbing of a stone carving of Budai - Princeton University Art Museum\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare a smiling soapstone Budai from London. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.horniman.ac.uk\/object\/1990.79\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eBudai Heshang - Horniman Museum and Gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Ancient Treasures","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":1192676091,"sku":"O-048GR","price":12.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0615\/0537\/files\/O-048GR-hotai-standing-mini-statue-1010.jpg?v=1777663776","url":"https:\/\/www.museumize.com\/products\/laughing-buddha-miniature","provider":"Museumize.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}