Maitreya Bodhisattva is recognized as the successor to Shakyamuni Buddha. In the future, he will descend into our Saha world to cultivate the Way and become the next Buddha, also known as the “Future Buddha.” He currently resides in the inner court of the Tusita Heaven, where he continues to practice and teach the Dharma.
The Historical Origin of the Laughing Maitreya: The Cloth Bag Monk
Interestingly, the “Laughing Maitreya” often seen in Chinese temples has a historical origin. During the Five Dynasties period in Zhejiang’s Fenghua region, there lived a chubby monk named Qici. He had a distinctive appearance—short and plump with large earlobes—and was often seen carrying a cloth bag.
He would beg for alms and casually toss whatever he received into his bag. He asked for anything he saw, and whatever was given to him, he put in the bag and then gave it all away to others. If someone asked him for a teaching, he would simply drop the bag on the ground—a gesture symbolizing “letting go.” If the person still didn’t understand, he would laugh heartily, pick up his bag, and walk away without another word.