Q:
Why Do People Rub Buddha's Belly for Good Luck?
A:
Quick Answer
The idea that rubbing a Buddha statue's belly brings good luck is a piece of folklore that apparently derived from the tradition of the Laughing Buddha. The Laughing Buddha is based on a Zen monk from over 1,000 years ago.
Continue Reading
Credit:
Wesley VanDinter
E+
Getty Images
Full Answer
According to Religion Facts, the Laughing Buddha's image is meant to convey abundance and contentment. He is always shown laughing with his large belly exposed as a symbol of happiness, plenty and good luck. Often Laughing Buddha statues include begging bowls, children and a large sack, presumably filled with good things. He is the patron of restaurateurs, bartenders, the weak, the poor and children. Tradition holds that rubbing the Laughing Buddha's belly brings good luck and prosperity.
Learn more about BuddhismSources:
Related Questions
-
Q:
Who Was Buddha?
A: The term "Buddha" is generally used as an appellation for the ancient Indian figure, Siddhartha Gautama, who is believed to have lived sometime between 563... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Why Are People Suspicious of Black Cats?
A: The superstition that black cats are somehow harbingers of bad luck or evil is related to European folklore that dates back to the Middle Ages, when genuin... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Is a Brief Summary of the Life of the Buddha?
A: The Buddha was born as an ordinary man named Siddhartha Gautama in 563 B.C. His father was the ruler of the Sakya people, a tribe that governed an area in ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Is Buddha Famous For?
A: Buddha is famous for founding the Buddhist religion and establishing the pillars of the religion, which are called the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold ... Full Answer >Filed Under:
