The popular figure of Budai, also known as the Laughing Buddha, is often mistaken for the historical Gautama Buddha. However, Budai was in fact a Chinese monk named Qieci who is said to have lived around the 10th century. He is typically depicted as an overweight, bald man with a protruding pot belly.

According to Chinese tradition, 'Budai' was an eccentric Chinese Zen monk who lived during the later Liang dynasty (907-923 AD) of China. He was a native of Fenghua and his Buddhist name was Qieci (Chinese : Pinyin). He was considered a man of good and loving character.

Laughing Buddha is the Buddha of abundance and happiness. He is also known as the “Buddha of Wealth”. It is believed he will bring wealth and prosperity to a home or business.

He is distinguished from other Buddhist deities by his happy personality and eccentric wandering lifestyle. In Japan, Hotei became one of the “Seven Lucky Gods”, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. He is also popularly known as the “Laughing Buddha” due to his laughing or smiling countenance.