Lesser Milefo

Feilai Feng, Hangzhou

The Laughing Buddha (Ch. Milefo or Budai, Jap. Hotei) is seen here in his typical pose, sitting at ease and laughing, his big belly sticking out, and holding a string of pearls or rosary in his left hand. Hotei - to use his popular name - is the god of good luck, an obscure monk who was later deified as an avatar of Maitreya.