Budai

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

Paintings

Crafts

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

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.