happy buddha

“When we enter the first hall of a way place, the Hall of Heavenly Guardians, we will see the statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva surrounded by the four Heavenly Guardians in the middle of the hall. Maitreya Bodhisattva, known in the west as the Happy Buddha, has a huge smile representing joyfulness.  His great stomach represents enormous tolereance and broad-mindedness, teaching us to interact with others and matters with joy, to be non-discriminating and tolerant. Next to him are four Heavenly Guardians or Daharma Protectors who teach us how to protect ourselves”      -”The Collected Works of Venerable Master Chin Kung -translated by silent voices”