Budai is a nickname given to the historical Chinese monk Qieci () in the Later Liang Dynasty, who is often identified with and venerated as the future Buddha Maitreya in Chan Buddhism and Buddhist scripture. With the spread of Chan Buddhism, he also came to be venerated in Vietnam, Korea, and Japan.
The name "Budai" literally means "cloth sack", Budai is traditionally depicted as having a huge stomach (possibly a symbol of abundance or forgiveness) and many stories surrounding Budai involve his love of food and drink. Because of this, he is also referred to as the "Fat Buddha", especially in the Western world, where he is often mistaken for Gautama Buddha.
The main textual record of Budai's life resides in a collection of Chan Buddhist biographies known as The Transmission of the Lamp.
Hagiography
The origins of Budai are centred on cult worship and local legend. He is traditionally depicted as a fat, bald monk wearing a simple robe. He carries his few possessions in a cloth sack, being poor but content. His figure appears throughout Chinese culture as a representation of both contentment and abundance. Budai was able to predict people's fortunes and even weather patterns. He slept wherever he arrived, even outside, for he could ward off the bitter cold. A note dated 28 March 917 claims that he was an incarnation of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future.
In Chan Buddhism
Budai was one of several "uncommitted saints" that became incorporated into the Chan pantheon. Similar figures from the lamp histories were not inducted into the Chan patriarchal line. Instead, these obscure figures represented the "special transmission" that occurred during the early to mid 12th century. This transmission did not rely on patriarchal lineage legitimacy but instead used the peculiar personalities and qualities of various folkloric figures to illustrate the Chan tradition's new commitment to the idea of "awakening" and the propagation of Chan to a larger congregation. The Chan Masters, Dahui Zonggao (1089—1163) and Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091—1157), were both leaders in the initial merging of local legend and Buddhist tradition. They hoped the induction of likable and odd figures would attract all types of people to the Chan tradition, no matter their gender, social background, or complete understanding of the dharma and patriarchal lineage. The movement allocated the figures as religious props and channeled their extraordinary charismas into the lens of the Chan pantheon in order to appeal to a larger population. Ultimately, Budai was revered from both a folkloric standpoint as a strange, wandering vagabond of the people as well as from his newfound personage within the context of the Chan tradition as a 'mendicant priest' The smooth lumpfish is known in Japan as hotei-uo ("Budai fish") due to its rotund appearance.
Sculpture
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File:Hangzhou 2006 18-23.jpg|Sculpture of Budai at the Feilai Feng grottoes in Zhejiang, China. Northern Song dynasty, 11th century.
File:20090608 Hangzhou Feilai Feng 9060.jpg|Budai as Maitreya at the Feilai Feng grottoes, depicted with disciples
File:湖山寺的彌勒佛.JPG|Statue of Budai at Hushan Temple in Taiwan
File:Haedong Yonggungsa Budai 07-6141.jpg|Statue of Budai as Maitreya at Haedong Yonggungsa temple in South Korea
File:Tsuhozan Mirokuji 08.JPG|Statue of Budai at Miroku-ji in Himeji city, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. It is the largest Budai sculpture in Japan.
File:Budai.jpg|Statue of Budai at Vĩnh Tràng Temple in Vietnam
File:Budai statue at Wat Nuan Naram Koh Samui Thailand.jpg|Statue of Budai at Ko Samui island, Thailand
File:മൈത്രെയബുദ്ധൻ.jpg|Statue of Budai in the Chinese style at Chalakudy, Kerala, India
File:Small budai in a cafe in central Birmingham.jpg|Small statue at a cafe in Birmingham, United Kingdom
File:Figure of Budai, "Laughing Buddha" - DPLA - 86306ffa590044edecc53205147eecfc.jpg|Figure of Budai, "Laughing Buddha", c. 1920–1960. Leon Abdalian Collection, Boston Public Library
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Paintings
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File:Budai and Jiang Mohe.jpg|Budai and Jiang Mohe Discussing Buddhism, by Yintuoluo and inscribed by Chushi Fanqi. Circa 1350.
File:Mokuan Reien - HOTEI(BUDAI) - Google Art Project.jpg|Hanging scroll showing Hotei, by Mokuan Reien and inscribed by Liao'an Qingyu. 14th century.
File:Brooklyn Museum - Po-dae - Kim Myong-kuk - overall.jpg|Painting of Podae, by Kim Myong-kuk, Joseon dynasty, 1600–1650
File:HoteiMusashi.jpg|Painting of Hotei watching two cocks fighting, by the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645)
File:Kano Koi Hotei, Edo Period.jpg|Painting of Hotei, by Kanō Kōi of the Kanō school. Early 17th century.
File:Painting of Hotei by Odano Naotake, 18th century.jpg|Hotei lifting his belly, a stereotypical depiction based on earlier Chinese copies. Painting by Odano Naotake (1750–1780), Edo period.
File:Hotei by Ito Jakuchu (Homma Museum of Art).jpg|Minimalist painting of Hotei and his bag, by Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800), Edo period
File:Hotei with Summer and Winter Landscapes, triptych by Igarashi Shunmel .jpg|Hotei With Summer and Winter Landscapes. Triptych by Igarashi Shunmei (1768), Edo period.
File:Godo no tsuki.jpg|The Moon of Enlightenment, depicting Hotei pointing at the Moon. From the print series One Hundred Aspects of the Moon by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. 1885–1891, Meiji Era.
File:Hotei and children carrying lanterns.png|Hotei and Children Carrying Lanterns, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. 19th century.
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Crafts
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File:Netsuke with Hotei, 17th century, ivory, Honolulu Museum of Art.JPG|Ivory netsuke depicting Hotei. Japan, 17th century.
File:Kinesisk porslinsfigur föreställande Budai, på bronsplatta från 1800-talet - Hallwylska museet - 95963.tif|Chinese porcelain figure of Budai with European ormolu stand. Qing dynasty, 1720–1730.
File:French - Perfumer (Cassolette) - Walters 542261.jpg|Scent container featuring a Chinese porcelain figure of Budai with French ormolu gilding and added porcelain flowers, an example of chinoiserie art. France, 1745–1749.
File:Hotei Dreaming on His Bag of Treasures LACMA M.87.263.70.jpg|Hotei dreaming on his bag of treasures. Ceramic with gold and lacquer. Japan, mid-19th century.
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Confusion with other religious figures
Angida
Angida was one of the original Eighteen Arhats. According to legend, Angida was a talented Indian snake catcher whose aim was to catch venomous snakes to prevent them from biting passers-by. Angida would also remove the snake's venomous fangs and release them. Due to his kindness, he was able to attain bodhi.
In Chinese art, Angida is sometimes portrayed as Budai, being rotund, laughing, and carrying a bag.
Gautama Buddha
thumb|right|Budai under a pine tree, by Wang Zhen. 1921
In the Western world, Budai is often mistaken for Gautama Buddha himself, and thus is nicknamed the "Fat Buddha". In Chan and Zen tradition he is an incarnation of Maitreya, not Gautama Buddha.
Kangxi Emperor
In Mongolia, Budai is called Enkh Amaglan Khan, which is identical to the Mongolian name for the Kangxi Emperor. Because of this, Budai is often mistaken for the Kangxi Emperor.
Phra Sangkajai
In Thailand, Budai is sometimes confused with the arhat Kaccāyana, known in Thailand as Phra Sangkajai or Phra Sangkachai. Buddha praised Phra Sangkajai for his excellence in explaining sophisticated concepts of the dhamma in an easily and correctly understandable manner. Phra Sangkajai is also known for composing the Madhupindika Sutta.
One story from Thai folklore relates that Phra Sangkajai was so handsome that even a man once wanted him for a wife. To avoid a similar situation, Phra Sangkajai decided to transform himself into a fat monk. Another tale says he was so attractive that angels and men often compared him with the Buddha. He considered this inappropriate, so disguised himself in a fat body.
Although both Budai and Phra Sangkajai may be found in both Thai and Chinese temples, Phra Sangkajai is found more often in Thai temples, and Budai in Chinese temples. Two points to distinguish them from one another are:
- Phra Sangkajai has a trace of hair on his head (looking similar to the Buddha's) while Budai is clearly bald.
- Phra Sangkajai wears the robes in Theravada fashion, with the robes folded across one shoulder, leaving the other uncovered. Budai wears the robes in Chinese style, covering both arms but leaving the front part of the upper body uncovered.
See also
- Buddha Shenrab
- Maitreya Buddha