The Case of the Mistaken Buddha

The Man on the Mantelpiece

He sits on dashboards, greets customers by the cash register, and beams from the shelves of countless homes worldwide. A large, bald man with a bare, protruding belly and an infectious laugh, he’s an instant symbol of good fortune and happiness. For millions, this is the Buddha. But it isn’t. This beloved icon is the subject of a centuries-old case of mistaken identity, and his real story is far more interesting than a simple label suggests.

A Monk Named ‘Cloth Sack’

The figure we call the ‘Laughing Buddha’ was a real person, a semi-historical Chan (Zen) Buddhist monk who lived in 10th-century China. His name was Qici, but he was known colloquially as Budai, which translates to “Cloth Sack.” The name was a literal description. Budai was an eccentric wanderer who carried his few possessions in a large linen sack. Legend says this bag was bottomless; it contained sweets for children, rice plants for farmers, and never seemed to empty, no matter how much he gave away.

He was known for his jovial and kind-hearted nature. Unlike the serene, meditative figures often associated with Buddhism, Budai was boisterous and joyful, frequently depicted playing with children who adored him. His large belly wasn’t a sign of gluttony, but was instead seen as a symbol of his big heart, generosity, and deep contentment. He was a folk hero, a beloved vagabond whose presence was considered a harbinger of good luck.

The Deathbed Revelation

For most of his life, Budai was simply a curious and much-loved local character. His elevation to religious icon happened at the very moment of his death. As he was passing, he is said to have revealed his true nature in a short, cryptic poem.

Maitreya, the true Maitreya, has billions of incarnations. He is often shown to people of the time; they themselves do not recognize him.

With those final words, everything clicked into place for his followers. They realized that the quirky monk Budai had been an earthly manifestation of Maitreya, the Bodhisattva who is prophesied to appear on Earth as the future Buddha to achieve complete enlightenment and teach the pure dharma. The eccentric wanderer was a Buddha-to-be, hiding in plain sight.

Two Buddhas, Two Ideals

This revelation firmly distinguishes Budai from the historical founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama. Their popular depictions represent two different spiritual ideals. Siddhartha Gautama, the man who became the Buddha, is almost always shown as slender and athletic. His physique reflects his life story: a prince who renounced immense wealth for a life of extreme asceticism and disciplined meditation to achieve enlightenment. His image is one of serene focus and self-control.

Budai, as Maitreya, represents a different path. He embodies joy in the everyday, contentment, and abundance. Rubbing his belly is a popular tradition born from the idea that doing so brings wealth, good luck, and prosperity. He is the patron saint of the weak, the poor, and children, a reminder that enlightenment and happiness can be found in simple generosity and a cheerful heart.

From Chinese Legend to Global Knick-Knack

So how did a 10th-century Chinese folk hero become the default image of "Buddha" in the West? As his legend spread through East Asia—becoming Hotei, one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japan—his statues became potent symbols of luck. When Chinese art and culture began to be exported globally, the cheerful, accessible image of the ‘Laughing Buddha’ was an easy bestseller. Divorced from the intricate details of Buddhist cosmology, he was simply a charming good-luck charm, a piece of feel-good decor. The more somber, meditative image of Siddhartha took a backseat to the man with the infectious grin and the promise of a full belly. The story of Budai is a perfect illustration of how a symbol can travel, transform, and take on a life of its own, becoming something universally understood, even if not entirely accurate.

Sources

• Most frequently asked questions about Buddha
• Budai - Wikipedia
• I was today year's old when I learn that Buddha (Siddhartha ...
• Budai - Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia
• Popular culture portrayal of Buddha statues [duplicate]
• What is the difference between Buddha and Budai? - Quora
• Budai | Religion Wiki - Fandom