Ho-Tei

He is actually not a Buddha, but a Chinese Buddhist she nearly always referred to as, "Pu-Tai" in her journal entries.  He is known as the Laughing Buddha or Happy Buddha, and is known as Hotei in Japan and Pu-Tai in China.  He embodies the ideals of good life such as health, happiness, prosperity and longevity.  This represents the later Buddhist notions that the good life was indeed attainable in this world.  It consists of self-mastery, a happy demeanor, purposeful endeavor, a deep commitment to the welfare of others and enlightened awareness.

Experts believe the Laughing Buddha is a historical figure and refer to the fat, wandering Zen monk named Pu-tai.  He is described as obese with a wrinkled or protruding forehead and rotund protruding belly which he left uncovered.  Wherever he went, he carried a pu-tai or cloth-bag. Thus he became known as Pu-tai Hoshang or hemp-bag monk.

Legend has it, the bag was full of candy for children.  Over the centuries, Buddhist notions of happiness based on self-mastery and enlightened insight were fused with popular Chinese life-ideals of happiness through material prosperity, thus today the hemp sack may be interpreted as filled with gold, happiness, health, and other aspects of abundance.

This is a Happy Buddha known to be a perfect remedy to combat bad luck which comes in the form of financial losses and mishaps.  In another entry she tells us, " He makes for a powerful charm which lends his spirit of abundance and wealth which is well suited to rootworked spirit bags."

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In a series of entries She writes; "nothing brings greater joy to this Buddha than to see worries, problems, and sadness transform into happiness.  He symbolizes happiness, wealth, and joy.  Simply gazing upon his imagery provokes joy.  And, by rubbing his stomach or head, releases the abundance of wealth he contains."

"As it brings prosperity and luck and to such a wide area, due to his auspicious rotund tummy, he is ideal for use as a house shrine.  He resides in nearly every Chinese household and business throughout the world.  The Laughing Buddha of Wealth is a living embodiment of the spirit of all of the prayers he receives that we will embody in the root worked spirit bag, our Mojo Hands."

"An auspicious being whose presence in the home attracts wealth and luck."

"Light a candle and rub his belly, best is to light two and rub twice!  Chant the 23rd. Psalm with a specific petition of prayer"

"I have been told it is odd to chant Christian prayer as spell mantra to a non Christian deity!  But I beg to differ, like all prayers from the book, they contain magic they do not perceive, but they are no different than most. When uttering the 23rd. Psalm with devotional intent to this Buddha at money altar, he, in that instance is the Lord mentioned of the prayer."

"Many of us religious folk use Catholic Saint, Hindu, and Buddhist Deity imagery with root, candle-burning, prayer.  Gather, develop and use the knowledge that, tantra puja, Kabbalistic, ritual, folk-magic, Santeria and spell-work offers."

"What I prescribe to you was gifted to me by my Mama, and Grand Mama before her.  Mama was the first to use the Buddha on a money shrine, a practice she learned from a Buddhist Root Doctor and Spiritual Worker of the Carolina coast, who used these images on his Wealth and Prosperity Altars."

 "He calls for the dressing of his candles, so dress them for your petitions.  Whether this be prosperity, money-drawing, or stay with me.  Use incense and oils as well.  If you petition your needs will be addressed."

"the 23rd. Psalm is considered an all around basic prayer to many.  Yet see the verses which contain the words that speak to prosperity and abundance.  I shall not want, He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, My cup runneth over, Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."

"In addition to what I give you, place personal symbolization with which to visualize wealth.  Cash or coin, a simple piggy bank, gemstone jewelry, whatever will help your visualization of your own to draw money and prosperity."

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