Happy Chinaman
Anyone walking about
Chinatowns in America will observe statues of a stout fellow carrying a linen
sack. Chinese merchants call him ‘Happy Chinaman’ or ‘Laughing Buddha’.
This HoTei lived in
the T'ang dynasty. He had no desire to call himself a Zen master or to gather
many disciples around him.
Instead he walked the
streets with a big sack into which he would put gifts of candy, fruit, or
doughnuts. These he would give to children who gathered around him in play. He
established a kindergarten of the streets.
Whenever he met a Zen
devotee he would extend his hand and say: "Give
me one penny."
Once as he was about
to play-work another Zen master happened along and inquired:
"What is the significance of Zen?"
HoTei immediately
plopped his sack down on the ground in silent answer.
"Then," asked the other, "what is the actualization of Zen?"
At
once the Happy Chinaman swung the sack over his shoulder and continued on his
way.
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