“Why is that Buddha statue fat?”

This familiar statue, with a big happy smile and an even bigger tummy, seen in Chinese Buddhist centers (and restaurants!) represents Maitreya Bodhisattva and is modeled after a monk called Budai. When offered alms, the venerable would put them in his cloth bag, or budai. With his bag always with him, he became known as Budai.

When someone asked him what Buddhism was, he would smile and put the bag down, indicating that Buddhism teaches letting go.

When asked what one should do next, he lifted the bag to his shoulder and walked away. A sign of taking up the helping of others.

So Buddhism teaches one to let go of everything and to help others. Just before he passed from this world, Budai revealed that he was a manifestation of Maitreya. Since then, in China, the image of Maitreya has been modeled on Venerable Budai. His broad smile reminds us, “Want to learn Buddhism? Be happy and greet all with a smile!” His big stomach symbolizes great tolerance and equality.