Maitreya Bodhisattva 弥勒菩萨 (布袋和尚)

Material: Ivory

Origin: China

Height: 8 cm

Code: MS-017

The Bu Dai monk (布袋和尚) refers to a legendary figure during the Wuyue kingdom (吴越）in the 10th century who was known as a roaming monk with a big belly and carrying a cloth sack with him. His behavoir was deemed eccentric, humourous, yet compassionate and always carried a wide smile on his smile.A well-known verse that he uttered is as follow: “我有一布袋，虚空无挂碍，展开遍十方，入时观自在” . A simple translation of this verse is as follow: "I have a cloth sack which is empty yet without encumbrances, can be expanded across the ten directions. When looked inside it, one sees its care-free nature." Despite his elusive behavoir, Bu Dai Monk taught the buddha dharma extensively in a monastery (雪窦寺) and demonstrated numerous miracles to help the folks there. On his death, he revealed his true identity as a manifestation of Bodhistattva Maiteya (弥勒菩萨) with the following verse: "弥勒真弥勒，化身千百亿。时时示时人，时人自不识。” which means "This Maiteya is the genuine Maitreya, with billions of manifestations, always preaching to the people at any time, albeit such people failed to recognise who he is."

Buddhists subsequently venerate him as a manifestation of Maitreya Bodhisattva but retaining his appearances of a huge belly, smiley face and a cloth sack to represent abundance, prosperity and contentment. More than this, the image of Bu Dai monk represents the qualities of a bodhisattva such as embracing, magnaminous, tolerance and compassion.

It was taught by Buddha Sakyamuni that Maitreya Bodhisattva is currently residing at Tushita Heaven and shall descend to the earth as the next Buddha.

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