Hotei, Budai ( 布袋 - “canvas bag”, “linen bag” [1] ; Chinese ex. 布袋 和尚 , pall .: Budai hashan ) - in Japanese mythology, one of the “ seven gods of happiness ” [1] , god communication, fun and well-being [1] . One of the most popular netsuke characters. Hotei is often called the "Buddha", mistakenly taking his image for the image of Shakyamuni Buddha .
Content
Origin
The prototype of Hotei was the Chinese monk Tsitsa, who lived during the Late Liang (907–923) , who preferred crowded bazaars to monastery solitude and wandered around China, making a living by predicting the weather. [1] From the property he had only a staff and a bag for alms, called a hotey, from which the monk received his nickname. The second “bag” also contributed to this nickname - a huge belly [1] , which no cassock could close and in which, according to the Chinese, the vital energy of qi was concentrated. The Buddha of Maitreya was also distinguished by a similar belly, the embodiment of which was considered to be Tsitsi, who was loved by people for his cheerful character and easy temper and who became the hero of many legends and stories. [2] According to legend, where he appeared, luck, health and well-being came to people. If someone asked what was in his bag, he answered: "I have the whole world there." In the XVII century, Hotei, as the embodiment of happiness and carelessness, was adopted in Japan . In the 15th century he became one of the seven deities of happiness. [one]
Fulfillment of desires
It is believed by people that in order to fulfill desires, you need to rub the figurine three hundred times on the stomach, keeping in mind the idea of the fulfillment of what you desire.
Hotei Images
Hotei is depicted holding: gold bars, coins , a staff , a pearl, a peach, a fan that drives away grief, a bag of wealth leading about a gift horse. Sometimes he is depicted surrounded by children or holding children in his arms - such images are considered to be mascots of fertility. Hotei predetermines human destinies and helps in the realization of desires. Hotei is the god of wealth.
Placement of the figurine in the room.
The Hotei figurine is usually placed at the front door in the hallway, then it will bring honor and respect. You can choose a location in the southern sector, which will bring recognition to the owner, but it is best to place the figurine in a prominent place. If the deity of happiness holds gold and coins, it must be placed in the wealth sector, if bamboo, the health sector, and if Hotei is holding a pearl, then choose the sector of wisdom, etc. Also, the image of Hotei is worn in the form of netsuke .
Other information
- Chukchi carvers make pelican figures from a bone, a funny plump little man with a wide smile - traditional good luck charms. Contrary to popular belief, the pelican is not an ancient folklore image, the Chukchi began to cut pelicans only in the 20th century. The image of the pelican comes from "Billy Ken" - the American mascot, who, in turn, was invented under the influence of the image of Hotei.
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ignatovich, 1990 .
- ↑ Chapter 2 Japanese Kami deities // Nakorchevsky A.A. Shinto. - 448 p. - ISBN 5-85803-237-0 , ISBN 5-352-00474-0 .
Literature
- The great mascots of feng shui. - Lenizdat , 2006 .-- S. 320. - ISBN 5-289-02287-2 .
- Ignatovich A.N. Hotei // Mythological Dictionary / Ch. ed. E. M. Meletinsky . - M .: Soviet Encyclopedia , 1990 .-- 672 p.