You all must be familiar with the statue of fat, smiling and happy "Laughing Buddha''. It is believed that if someone keeps and displays the statue of laughing Buddha at home or at business place, it brings luck and prosperity for them. Laughing Buddha is also known as ''happy man''
In this post I am sharing some interesting facts about laughing Buddha.
1. Most People believe that Laughing Buddha is the statue of Lord Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism but the fact is that the character of laughing Buddha is believed to be based on ancient Buddhist Chinese monk who lived in an old cave more than 1000 years ago.
2. Laughing Buddha is known as '' Hotei'' in Japan and Pu-Tai in China.
3.According to a legend,if anyone rubs the belly of Laughing Buddha it brings good fortune, cheerfulness and wealth.
4.There is a belief that Laughing Buddha is so happy because his tolerance level is very high and he doesn't hold any grudge or hatred against anyone.
5. In China people also believe that Laughing Buddha is the protector of children as well as the poor and the week. He carries a bag full of sweets and toys for children and he is often pictured with children.
What I like about Laughing Buddha is that he always smiles and laughs and inspires us to be happy and cheerful all the time.
Look there , in the sky,
A shooting star saying goodbye,
It's coming down,falling from height,
Leaving behind a streak of light,
We for a while, can see that line,
For some more time,can feel star's shine.
-Aunt Mary
Once there was an old man who lived in a cave. The old man was so intelligent and knowledgeable .People believed that the old man got some magical powers and he was able to solve their problems.
One day a young man came to visit the old man.
"What is the purpose of your visit ",asked the old man.
''O my respected elder , I have a wish ,will you please grant my wish?" , said the young man.
''What is your wish ?", the old man asked.
"Sir, I want to help the needy people for my whole life.I want to serve the human kind."
"Oh! that is very noble wish, I am giving you a magic box it will help you to make your wish come true'', said the old man.
''Thank you so much sir, I am really grateful to you.", the happy young man said.
''But keep in mind , that you must open this box only after reaching home'', the old man warned the man.
On the way to home out of curiosity the young man opened the magic box. And guess what ? He immediately turned into a coconut tree.
But his wish still came true as the coconut tree is very useful and has a lot of benefits for human kind.
Chinese Folktale
Re-told by-Aunt Mary
This had happened with me a few years ago when I met a person who made my condition serious by her behavior.
She was my neighbor and the wife of my husband's senior colleague.We lived in the same building. I do not want to disclose her name so I will call her Mrs.X here. The lady was suffering from a disease called 'Humiliating other people by unnecessary criticism'. Though I could not recognize her disease in the beginning and took her and her criticism seriously and in a very genuine way.
I remember that it was a small get together of ladies at my house.I served the sweets and snacks which I had made after long hours of devoted cooking. While everyone was enjoying eating the items I
cooked and liked them a lot, dear Mrs.X asked after having four or five of them, '' Have you made these Laddoos (Indian sweet) with rice flour!? It is not having the taste of Laddoo.''(with a facial expression of 'you have made a huge mistake!')
I was feeling very bad that I served such bad Laddoos for my distinguished guest and was filled with guilt though I didn't make the laddoos with rice flour. This was the first time when I was victimized by Mrs.X.
One day she met me at the school where my kids studied .She was there to get the admission form for her niece. I went to school to pickup my youngest daughter ,I was just five minutes late because I had to withdraw some cash and as the A.T.M machine was not working well , I got late by a few minutes. 'And that was my horrible mistake.'
''You should have come on time, you are late, it will leave a negative impact on your daughter. She will never understand the importance of time in future.'', said Mrs.X .
"How bad I was as a mother , I was ruining my own child!'' , I was catching the disease!
My next encounter with the respected lady was when we met at a wedding, This time I had made the mistake of appreciating the beauty of the bride, ''Look at her, she is looking stunning!'' I said to Mrs.X , pointing out towards the bride .
''I don't think so...", Mrs.X said , "Look at her hair , what has she done with it! , it is looking like she has got a mountain on her head!" .
This time I really felt bad , I felt bad for the poor bride because she was really looking beautiful.
After that meeting I realized that Mrs.X had a habit to criticize other people in order to demean them. Later I came to know from my friends that Mrs.X behaved in this way with everybody and that is why people who knew her well didn't take her seriously. After that I had many encounters with Mrs.X but I was determined not to take her criticism seriously.
Now when I remember those encounters with Mrs.X , a smile comes on my face remembering how foolish I was that I became a victim of a person like Mrs.X.
So my friends, one thing we must have in our minds that healthy criticism is good for us and we should welcome it. But unnecessary criticism is not worthy of being accepted.
- Aunt Mary
Wow, wow, wow,
winter is gone now
No more foggy days,
no cold waves,
Weather is clear,
no cold's fear,
We can go out ,
To play and chill out.
- Aunt Mary
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