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May you be filled with lovingkindness,
May you be well,
May you be peaceful and at ease,
May you be happy. This
Laughing Buddha sits outside The Oracle across from the 2010 Olympic
Celebration Plaza. He has his
picture taken many times a day and has had his belly rubbed by
Whistler locals and visitors until his grey tummy turns black from
the oil on people's hands. (It's a communal hand shake!)
People began putting coins on his belly
during the summer of 2008, and the money collected has gone to WAG
(Whistler Animals Galore), AWARE Kids Club, Get Bear Smart Society and the
pockets of a few children.
You can visit his Facebook
Group "Experience the Whistler Buddha" |
Lucky Laughing Buddha
The Happy Man (India), Laughing Buddha or Pu-Tai or Hotei (China),
is believed to have existed in China as a real Buddhist monk over
1,000 years ago during the Liang Dynasty in China. He is also known
to some as Maitriya (future Buddha).
The story of Hotei (truth or myth)
is that he was a cheerful, fulfilled Buddhist monk who wandered
throughout the land sharing his abundance. He is always portrayed
with a large exposed protruding potbelly, often carrying a sack
filled with precious items, sweets for children, food for the poor
and gifts for the impoverished. The fan he sometimes carries (called
an oogi) is used for granting wishes and his begging bowl represents
his Buddhist philosophy.
His large, fat stomach is a symbol of happiness, luck, and abundance
and it is believed that if one rubs the belly of Buddha, it brings
good luck and wealth.
The story of the Laughing Buddha
was used to introduce Buddhism to the Shinto religion and he is also
seen as one of the seven Japanese Shinto-gods of luck (Kami).
Hotei is not the same Buddha
worshipped in the Buddhist religion. Siddhartha Gautama, who was
born in India is portrayed as a much slimmer and solemn in artwork
and statues. 'Buddha' means 'enlightened' and it is believed that
there have been 7 Buddhas. Six others preceded Siddhartha, remained
reclusive, meditated privately and departed unknown to the world. It
was the seventh Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama that made himself public,
delivered sermons and founded Buddhism.
Just looking at the Laughing Buddha
makes anyone smile. He works his cheerful magic in an instant! |
Getting
his 'Game On' for the 2010 Olympics
Suit
painted on, temporary hat...
Natalia spraypaints
his Olypiad suit in place...
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