Hotei : The Laughing Buddha


Monday 11th December 2023
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  • Hotei : The Laughing Buddha

    There is a story in Japan of the laughing buddha, Hotei. His whole teaching was just laughter. He would move from one place to another, from one marketplace to another marketplace. He would stand in the middle of the market and start laughing - that was his sermon.

    His laughter was catching, infectious; a burst of real laughter, his whole belly pulsating with the laughter, shaking with laughter. People who would collect together, would start laughing, and then the laughter would spread, and tidal waves of laughter, and the whole village would be overwhelmed with laughter.

    People used to wait for Hotei to come to their village because he brought such joy, such blessings. He never uttered a single word, never. You asked about Buddha and he would laugh; you asked about enlightenment and he would laugh; you asked about truth and he would laugh. Laughter was his only message.

    Source: A Sudden Clash of Thunder




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