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Who is the Laughing Buddha / Happy Buddha / Hotei ?

Laughing Buddha ( Happy Buddha ) is known as Hotei ( in Japan) and Pu-Tai ( in China) , these figures embody the ideals of the good life, health, happiness, prosperity and longevity. They represent the later Buddhist notions that the good life was indeed attainable in this world. It consisted of self-mastery, a happy demeanor, purposeful endeavor, a deep commitment to the welfare of others and enlightened awareness. Hotei (year of birth unknown - 917(?)) was a legendary Buddhist monk who lived in Mingzhou (now Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China) from the end of the Tang Dynasty to the Five Dynasties.  In Japan, it is worshiped as one of the Seven Lucky Gods.  Hotei /  laughing Buddha   is one of the seven deities of good fortune. Considered a good subject for ink painting, it is depicted as a pot-bellied monk carrying a large bag on his back.  Hotei is said to bring overall good fortune such as wealth, prosperity, business success, matchmaking, good health, love relationship , protect