Budai

By Crusader1307

A popular Deity in China, Korea and Japan – ''Bodai'' (also known as ''Hotai''), is more commonly called ''The Smiling Buddha''. Said to have been a 6th Century AD Monk, He wandered the Land often instilling ''good nature and humor''. Later, when Budai was made a Buddhist Deity, it was considered ''Good Luck'' to ''rub the belly of His Icon (Statue)''. Boudai was a very popular Western Cultural Gift, most often ''brought back'' by Servicemen in The 1950s and 1970s. His Shrines can still be found in many Asian Temples.