Unlocking Abundance: Choosing the Right Laughing Buddha Statue
With a bald head, a vibrant smile, and a protruding pot belly, the Laughing Buddha appears distinct from the usual monks. The Laughing Buddha statue is viewed as a symbol of good fortune, abundance, and happiness. It is often installed in places like offices, parks, hotels, etc, to add an aura of positivity to the ambiance. However, it is mostly placed by people inside their homes. While it hails from Chinese culture, the Laughing Buddha statue is revered in the Vaastu Shastra as well.
Who Was Laughing Buddha?
As per a legend in Chinese culture, almost 1000 years ago, a monk was popular as Ho-tei. His name translates to ‘a cloth sack’, which he always carried. It was in this bag that Ho-tei carried all his worldly possessions as he wandered from one village to another, spreading happiness.
Always seen with a bright smile, he was eccentric and showed affection towards whoever he met. Many even regarded him as the ‘Bodhisattva Maitreya’ or the future incarnation of Lord Buddha, and his ever-jolly nature earned him the name ‘Laughing Buddha.’
Types of Iconography
The Laughing Buddha is often shown with different kinds of possessions, and each of these is symbolic of a different blessing. Let’s explore what they represent.
With a Bowl - This depiction of the Laughing Buddha is a manifestation of his life as a monk. Used for collecting alms, a bowl is one of the very few possessions a monk has.
It is said that the Laughing Buddha gathers good luck, prosperity, and other blessings in this bowl and distributes them among people.
With Beads - The statue of the Laughing Buddha with beads in his hand depicts the practice of meditation. This statue brings calmness and mental peace to the homeowner. These beads also represent good health and wisdom.
The ideal placement for this statue is in the east or the northeast corner of the house.
With a Bag - A Laughing Buddha statue with a bag represents him as a wanderer. It symbolizes the Buddha taking away all the problems of a person’s life by gathering them in his sack and replacing them with happiness and prosperity.
It is considered the ideal Buddha statue for home if one is seeking to invite good luck.
With a Fan - The fan shown in the hands of the Buddha is considered to possess wish-granting powers. The Buddha fans out the negative energies and fills the atmosphere with positivity.
Picking the right corner for this idol is not a challenge. It can be placed in whichever corner one wishes to be blessed. For instance, if one seeks good family relations, it must be placed in the living room.
On a Money Frog - The Laughing Buddha seated smilingly on a Money Frog represents wealth and good fortune. The frog is a symbol of infinite riches and good luck. This figure can be kept in places like the home-office area so that one attracts good luck in career.
With Children - Representing a happy family life, this one is ideal for new parents, soon-to-be parents, and couples trying to conceive. The Buddha statue with children grants the boon of parenthood.
For those who already are parents, this statue must be placed in the room of their children to instill good qualities in them, like respect for elders.
Posture -
Sitting - When depicted in a sitting posture, the Laughing Buddha represents love and wisdom. It also symbolizes peace, calmness, and well-balanced thoughts. Placing a seated Laughing Buddha statue fills the environment with serenity.
Standing - A standing figure of the Laughing Buddha symbolizes good luck, wealth, and happiness. Many prefer placing a standing Laughing Buddha in their homes because it brings riches and good fortune.
With Hands Raised - This idol of the Laughing Buddha is the most commonly seen and is named ‘Jolly Ho-tei.’ With hands raised above the head, he symbolizes divine gifts and bestows blessings from the heavens.
Placement -
Placing the Laughing Buddha Statue in the right place increases its powers tenfold. Some of the things to keep in mind are as follows -
Keeping the idol of the Laughing Buddha in front of the main door facing the entrance allows the inflow of good luck and wealth into the lives of the homeowners.
According to Vaastu Shastra, upon purchasing a Buddha statue for home, keeping it on a shoe rack must be avoided.
Vaastu shastra experts also advise that a statue of the Laughing Buddha must never be placed in the kitchen or the bathroom.
Placing the idol in the South-East direction of the house brings financial success and prosperity and blesses one with material pleasures.
Vaastu Shastra practitioners advise against placing the Laughing Buddha statue on bare ground. It is recommended that the statue is always kept at an eye level.
It must also be noted that keeping the statue of the Laughing Buddha near power outlets and electrical appliances can disrupt the flow of positive energy in the house.
Wrapping Up
Being a true representation of happiness and good luck, the widely adored Laughing Buddha statue not only makes for a fine addition to one’s home decor but also ensures the circulation of positive vibes in the house. Considering it symbolizes well-being and success, most people buy this Buddha statue for home. With each of its depictions symbolizing a different blessing, the Laughing Buddha is adored in its many forms but always exudes abundance and joy.