Laughing Buddha Statues

The laughing Buddha earns his smile honestly. Based on Budai, a wandering monk remembered for his generosity and his open laugh, he stands for something simpler than enlightenment: everyday contentment. This collection gathers every laughing Buddha we make, from hand carved wooden statues in whitewash and vintage finishes to soft glow lamps that light him up in the evenings, along with our set of three happy Buddhas for a shelf or a gift. 
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The Monk Behind the Smile

The laughing Buddha is not the historical Buddha. He is Budai, a Chinese monk from over a thousand years ago who wandered from village to village with a cloth sack of gifts and a laugh that people remembered long after he had moved on. Where the meditating Buddha represents stillness, Budai represents joy you can actually live with. Abundance, generosity, and the good sense to let small worries go. Tradition says rubbing his belly brings luck, and whether or not you believe it, nobody has ever looked at a laughing Buddha and felt worse.

The heart of this collection is our carved wooden happy Buddhas, worked by hand by artisans in Indonesia whose families have shaped wood for generations. You can see the chisel in the folds of his robe and the creases of his smile, and the whitewash, vintage mint and blue mint finishes are applied by hand, so the wear and tone of each piece is its own. Around them sit the rest of the family. Our laughing Buddha soft glow lamps cast a gentle crackle glazed light in a choice of colours, an easy way to bring his presence into an evening room. The set of three happy Buddhas in assorted sizes makes a ready made grouping, and one of the most given gifts we sell. And the hands up laughing Buddha deserves a mention of his own. Arms raised to the sky is the traditional gesture of prosperity and troubles lifted, long the favourite for new homes and new ventures.

Place him where he will be seen. Facing the front door is the traditional spot, welcoming whatever comes in. Living rooms, hallways, offices and shops all suit him well. Keep him raised off the floor, out of the bathroom, and away from radiators and long stretches of direct sun. The wooden statues ask nothing more than a dry cloth now and then. Wherever he ends up, the old advice holds: he belongs somewhere he will make you smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the laughing Buddha the same as the Buddha?

No. The laughing Buddha is Budai, a Chinese monk from the tenth century known for his generosity and joy. The historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, lived some 1,500 years earlier and is shown in calm meditation. Different figures, different meanings, and plenty of homes happily keep both.

What does a laughing Buddha statue mean?

Happiness, abundance and good fortune. His round belly stands for generosity of spirit and his sack for the good things he carries with him. A laughing Buddha in the home is a traditional invitation for luck and contentment to settle in.

What types of laughing Buddha do you sell?

Three kinds. Hand carved wooden happy Buddhas in whitewash and vintage finishes from 30cm to 50cm, soft glow laughing Buddha lamps in a choice of colours, and a set of three happy Buddhas in assorted sizes. The carved pieces are each one of a kind, and the lamps and set make easy gifts.

Where should I place a laughing Buddha in my home?

Facing the front door is the traditional choice, so he greets everything that enters. Living rooms, hallways and offices all work well. Keep him raised off the floor, out of the bathroom, and give him a little space of his own. Those small courtesies are all that tradition asks.

What does the hands up laughing Buddha mean?

Arms raised to the sky is the gesture of prosperity and troubles lifted. It is considered the strongest pose for attracting wealth and good fortune, which is why the hands up laughing Buddha is a favourite for new homes, offices and shops.

Is a laughing Buddha a good gift?

Tradition says a laughing Buddha received as a gift carries more luck than one you buy yourself. That makes him a natural housewarming or new business present. Our set of three happy Buddhas and the soft glow lamps are the pieces most often bought to give.

Why do people rub the laughing Buddha's belly?

For luck. The custom says a gentle rub of his belly each day invites wealth and happiness. Whether you treat it as tradition or just a nice habit, it is a small ritual that has travelled the world for centuries.

How do I care for a laughing Buddha statue?

For the carved wooden statues, keep them away from radiators, humid rooms and long spells of direct sunlight, dust with a dry cloth, and feed the timber with a little natural wood oil or beeswax once a year. The glow lamps need nothing more than an occasional wipe and a spot near a socket.