I won’t even pretend I know much about Buddhism, but I have always been drawn to the image of the Laughing Buddha. In fact, I’ve had a statue of him in my yard for over a decade. His smiling face reminds me that no matter what is happening in my life or the world, we can always choose to see the world more joyfully. So it was a no brainer for me to accept the invitation to review a book titled, Poems of the Laughing Buddha by Jane Marla Robbins. And, just as I hope with any book I read, the ideas it contained helped simulate some SMART thoughts we all might use to create a more meaningful and happy life.
Of course it is good to remember that just like with most of the world’s major religions, Buddhism has dozens of sects and offshoots. Unfortunately, the Laughing Buddha and/or the presence of humor does not exist in most of them. In general, the majority of religions, along with those in charge of them, insist on reverence. In contrast, the Laughing Buddha evolved out of the original Buddhist teachings as a personality known as Maitreya, or the “future Buddha.” Similar to the trickster or jester in some cultures, the Laughing Buddha exists to offer contrast and reveal truth in ways that are often denied. In China this version of the Buddha is known as Budai, while in Japan he is known as Hotei. Regardless of what we call him, his humor and irony (which is often also found in Zen Buddhism) offers a great opportunity for growth, awareness and understanding.
What I love most about the Laughing Buddha, and especially Zen Buddhism, is that it continually questions our viewpoints and attempts to dissolve boundaries so that we see and think of circumstances, other people and the world in a different way. Isn’t that what humor does? Humor breaks open our assumptions while questioning and challenging everything we believe to be right and true. Instead of confronting something outright, humor tends to sneak around our conscious mind and then catch us by surprise. The very best humor startles us awake and changes our awareness. I’m guessing the Buddha knew that if you want people to wake up and be conscious, tricking them with laughter was a good way to do it.
Buddhist humor also points out the unknowable and impermanent nature of life. Have you ever seen a demonstration of the gorgeous Sand Mandela Paintings made by Buddhist monks around the world? Those artistic, symbolic, exquisite works of art and their ritualistic destruction asks us to let go of what we think we know, and accept that everything constantly changes. Just like someone pulling the rug out from under you unexpectedly—it can either be seen as outrageously funny, or tragically hurtful. How we experience any condition can either show suffering and unhappiness, or release us to transcendence and enlightenment. Buddhist humor strives to help us make the distinction. Consider the following situation:
One day a young traveling Buddhist came to the banks of a wide river. Staring hopelessly at the water and wondering how to get to the other side, the young traveler happened to see a great Buddhist teacher standing on the other side. Pleased at finding such a quick solution to his problem he yells out to the teacher, “Oh wise one, can you tell me how to get to the other side of this river?”
The teacher ponders for a moment, looks up and down the river and yells back, “My son, you are on the other side.”
Or consider the following classic jokes:
- What did the Buddhist say to the pizza chef? Make me one with everything!
- Why can’t a Buddhist vacuum under the sofa? Because he has no attachments!
- What did a sign in the monastery searching for new monks say? Inquire within!
An aspiring monk asked to enter a monastery and attach himself to a Zen Master.
“Very well,” said the Zen Master, “but all students here observe the vow of silence. You will be allowed to speak only once every twelve years using only two words.
After the first twelve years, the student said, “Bed hard.”
After another twelve years, he said, “Food bad.”
Twelve more years later, after thirty-six years of hard work and meditation, he said, “I quit.”
“Good,” snapped the Zen Master, “all you’ve done is complain.”
Of course, some might feel that such attempts at humor are disrespectful and insulting in the face of the seriousness of some situations. But again, the Laughing Buddha, like humor in general, disrupts our thinking and makes us laugh. So instead of taking our own views and opinions too seriously, or allowing the sovereignty of our own tight egos to run our lives, humor breaks open our limited awareness by making us laugh at the absurdity of believing we ever have the final solution to anything. Maybe that’s why one of my favorite Buddhist sayings of all time is, “Act as if the future of the world depends upon what you do, all the while laughing at yourself for thinking you can make a difference.”
As for the Poems of The Laughing Buddha, I found several of them in this small volume that touched my heart and made me smile. While I never experienced all-out-laugher, I did nod my head in recognition. Here’s one of the shorter ones as an example:
Wrinkles
“Many women I know have facelifts
To tighten their cheeks
And eliminate the lines
Around their mouth and chin.
I have my share of lines as well
But pay someone to cut me?
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
When all I need to do is smile
And all the wrinkles disappear!
As I’ve written about before, there is plenty of research that shows that smiling and laughing is good for us for so many reasons. But what we less seldom acknowledge is that our seriousness is probably just our ego thinking we know more than we think we do or that we have the world all figured out. Maybe the SMART perspective is to find more reasons to laugh every day of our lives, and never be afraid to challenge our own thinking. And if you like to read poetry, I’ve got a book I’m happy recommend.
Thanks to author Jane Marla Robbins for sending me this book and t-shirt. As always, the ideas expressed in this review are solely my own. For more information about the author go to: http://www.janemarlarobbins.com/
This post is part of the #MidlifeLUV Linkup Party for 9-25-15!
I have so many favorite quotes from Buddha. I love to create Buddha related wall art as well. Most of the wall art that I create uses the sacred Buddha image.
Love and Blessings <3 ~ Jalai Lama
Kathy, this is so well-researched and written. Enjoyable read and all true! Looks like you have a lot of fans!! Thanks for sharing on #TheLeisureLink!
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. This is a great word by Buddha.. It can remove the tension in a situation and with teens I found humor was a great tool to bring them back to reality.Such a great post, Kathy! Great examples of humor. Thanks for sharing this inspiring post 🙂
Hi Sherin! Welcome to SMART Living and thanks for sharing those words by Buddha. I’ve always found that particularly helpful when it is difficult to forgive myself or others. And yes, also a good example of humor. Thanks again for stopping by. ~Kathy
Always good to laugh at life even in the most trying of situations. I have a large praying monk in my lounge (it’s a stone garden ornament really) surrounded by three tiny laughing Buddhas. I love them all – they remind me to be peaceful and to laugh a lot. Lovely post and thanks for the snippet of the poet’s work – sounds interesting.
Hi Gilly! I would love to see a photo of ALL your Buddhas! Hmmmmm….I don’t think CommentLuv allows photo comments but in this case it would have been a GREAT one! ~Kahty
Will take a pic tomorrow in daylight – it’s 7.30 pm now and dark 🙁 – and post on Pinterest.
Oh great! I’m out of town with sketchy wifi but I will hunt it down when I get home!
I like to think that Buddha had a sense of humour! When I was in Thailand 28 years ago, I attended a Buddhist beach ceremony. It was a sunrise (6am) ceremony.It was a very quiet solemn occasion. A statue of Buddha was being carried on a makeshift stretcher being held aloft by 4 monks. Down the hillside came the troop of monks onto the beach. Until one monk stumbled, the Buddha fell off the stretcher & rolled down the beach. It was a comical scene – the monks were mortified & ran to retrieve the statue – and giggles had to be stifled!
Hi Linda! That is a GREAT story and one that the Laughing Buddha would certainly have enjoyed. Thank you for sharing it. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy – great detailed post as ever. All I can say is repeat the Dalai Lama’s words:
“The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” — Dalai Lama
“People are too serious. All the time, too serious.” — Dalai Lama
Have fun and laugh. My family are Irish and when my granny died, all the family came around and laughed and joked about the fun times in her life.
Hi Mark! Glad you liked this one. I LOVE those quotes by the Dalai Lama and yes, isn’t he one of the greatest reminders of lightheartedness on the planet today. When you think about it, he’s sort of his own Laughing Buddha. And I would like to be the same as your family, and have everyone laugh at all the fun I’ve had in my life when it is time for me to move on. Thanks for adding that to the conversation! ~Kathy
I love so much about Buddhism, but its the joy and humor that I love best. That is the connection between all of us – or it should be – and I’d love to learn more and more AND MORE about Buddhism.
I’d love to have that laughing Buddha outside our home as a constant reminder of what is most important. The ability to laugh at ourselves, at life and at each other is something to help us when life becomes difficult.
Hi Cathy! Yes, as you say there is so much about Buddhism that can be of help to us if we are open minded about it. Sometimes it is those simple reminders not to take ourselves so seriously that can turn a day around in an incredible way. Maybe it’s time for you to find a Laughing Buddha of your own? ~Kathy
Laughter is a gift and knowing how to get someone to laugh is another. My husband puns like crazy and I’m supposed to be the word-worker in the family! Love the poem about wrinkles–I’m smiling.
Hi Beth! Isn’t it nice to have someone around the house that can make us laugh. My husband tends to the serious side most of the time but every now and then he can be incredibly funny. The Laughing Buddha helps us both. ~Kathy
This is so to the point, Kathy! Buddhist humor often gets neglected, and I must say, in many places this made me laugh out loud. And it’s exactly what I needed this morning, as I’ve been taking myself quite too seriously. It’s that very poking fun of ourselves that gets us OUT of ourselves long enough to see situations differently. As you said, “the Laughing Buddha, and especially Zen Buddhism, is that it continually questions our viewpoints and attempts to dissolve boundaries so that we see and think of circumstances, other people and the world in a different way.”
Thank you for turning me around!
http://www.susanmarymalone.com/why-i-love-to-write-fiction/
Hi Susan! I’m so glad it made you laugh. I don’t think of myself as a humor writer AT ALL but the Laughing Buddha tends to bring that out of us all. Thanks for letting me know it helped to turn you around. ~Kathy
I don’t think there’s anything disrespectful about humor. It’s a conversation starter, a stress reliever, and a great way to motivate children and keep their attention.
A laughing Buddha is a wise Buddha.
Hi Karen! I totally agree with all you’ve said about humor! I actually wish I was more of a humor writer myself because I so admire it. Maybe that’s one reason why I keep that Laughing Buddha around! Thanks for your comment! ~Kathy
Hi Tam! YES! The Laughing Buddha is perfectly placed anywhere among the things we love. Have you ever shared a photo of your diving board? Wouldn’t that be a great way to share with each other what it is that’s important? Just a thought. ~Kathy
The first thing to go when someone is ill, is conversation and laughter. Laughter helps us step outside of our human bodies and into our spirit. I truly believe that even during the most terrible times, we must encourage laughter, a connection with our souls. Thank you so much for linking to my linky #MidLifeLuv.
Hi Elena! Isn’t it so good to remember that laughter can make us feel better even when we aren’t feeling that well? You’ve heard of Dr. Norman Cousins right? He was the first I’d ever heard who promoted the healing power of laughter, first from his own personal experience, and then dealing with thousands of his patients. That why I always make an effort to watch comedies when I don’t feel well. And as you say, “…even during the most terrible times, we must encourage laughter, a connection with our souls.” ~Kathy
The Laughing Buddha is my favourite, too, Kathy! Just love that smiling face and round belly!
Hi Nancy! Yes he is a happy inspiration to us all–especially anyone doing a cleanse! ~Kathy
Laughter really is the best medicine for really whatever ails you. It sounds so simple, but it does work. I enjoyed this book review and will be on the lookout for it.
Hi Rena! Thanks….it is a bit pricy for the size but anyone who is a big fan of poetry AND likes the idea of the Laughing Buddha will enjoy it. ~Kathy
I love your Buddha statue so much – the contemplative statues seen everywhere are too serious for me. I think Buddha would have approved of the statue, the jokes and the poems. Life is too short not to find laughter every day.
Hi Janis! I actually have both kinds of Buddhas in my home. The contemplative one reminds me to be more peaceful while the Laughing Buddha does as you say, reminds me of my happy place. I also have a statue of Kuan Yin who is a Chinese Goddess of compassion and mercy. As usual for women in religion, she doesn’t get as much attention but I like thinking of her feminine energy adding to the others. I also have one of Shiva, Isis and JC for anyone who is interested. 🙂 I keep them around to remind me of their great teachings and the examples that they offer us all if we take the time to remember. ~Kathy
Great post, Kathy! I agree — laughing is something we should do every day. And there’s humor to be found in almost anything – especially ourselves and our foibles. Looking forward to meeting you at BAM!
Enjoyed reading this post Kathy, I have always loved looking at laughing Buddha, and liked the Buddhist humour. I am great admirer of Lord Buddha and am never tired of reading some very inspiring quotes ….
Hi G Angela! There’s a good chance you know a GREAT DEAL more about buddhism than I do but I do believe that there are ideas and lessons within the religion and philosophy that we can all use to create a happy and more meaningful life. The Laughing Buddha has much to share with all of us don’t you think? ~Kathy
I’ve puzzled for a long time over what is humor, or what makes something funny. Your idea that it is things that cause us to see things in a new way, is a new one for me and I think you’re onto something.
But let me give you my thinking. I think laughter originates as a response that we make to a victory or success. When you “get” a joke, what has happened is that you’ve understood what was clever about the joke. That’s a victory. People often laugh spontaneously when they figure out the solution to a problem or have a sudden insight – even if it’s a “negative” insight (Aha! Now I see what I’m doing wrong!) because the insight is a victory. Winners are more likely to laugh at the end of the game than losers. The loser who laughs is the one who has found a way not to feel defeated by the loss, the one who is able to see that they’ve learned something in the process, or that just having been included in the game was a victory. (Of course the ugly side is that some people will laugh at people they’ve beaten as an expression of victory over the other person. Or they’ll laugh at someone who is clumsy or stupid, because their sense of their own “superiority” to that person feels like a victory. This is a case when laughter is actually sad.)
I think your idea about humor involving seeing things in a new way fits into this, too, because seeing things in a new way is a discovery and any discovery is a victory of a kind. And of course you’re right about the value of smiling and laughing (at positive things). Victory is rewarding, even it it’s just getting the punchline of a one-liner.
Hi Carol! Thanks for your thoughts on this. I think I agree that any time we “get” something–be it an insight or new way of thinking in any way–that could be considered to be a victory–including our own erroneous thinking! I’d never thought about it that way before but I think it works. Of course there are other reasons we laugh including a cover for embarrassment or just plain delight. But it usually sneaks up on us and for those so inclined, makes us laugh. Regardless, isn’t something so simple something we should do every day? ~Kathy
I like what you are saying Kathy. I think some people feel they must be serious to sound intelligent, while in reality they are boring! Humor is a gift. The Buddhist jokes are a hoot.
Hi Haralee! Isn’t the Laughing Buddha a great reminder to be lighthearted? I constantly have to remind myself not to be so serious….that’s why my favorite Buddha quote is the one I mention, “Act as if the future of the world depends upon what you do, all the while laughing at yourself for thinking you can make a difference.” It is so easy to get sucked into thinking I’m in charge and if things worked out the way I think they should everything would be just fine. hahahaha! ~Kathy
Such a great post, Kathy! Great examples of humor. Thanks for sharing this inspiring post!
Hi Terri! Thanks for letting me know you liked this post. I don’t usually write things that make people laugh so this one was fun for me too! ~Kathy
I am really glade to read this great article especially the poem which has amazing lesson for readers to enjoy their lives following it.
HI Amin! Glad you enjoyed this post and the poem. Never stop laughing! ~Kathy
Kathy, this was a lovely post to find upon my return home and first access to the internet in nearly two weeks! I too believe humor to be a wonderful way to change our perspective and used humor in many situations in raising my children. It can remove the tension in a situation and with teens I found humor was a great tool to bring them back to reality. Peer pressure and the stress that comes with that age needs a bit of reality some days. 🙂
I love the sand art the Buddhists monks make and always have to remind myself of the reasons they destroy it once completed.
Hi Lois! Welcome back! I’m glad this post was a fun way to get back in the swing of blogging. As you know I tend to write about serious stuff most of the time, so every now and then I really try to find something that reminds me of how important it is to be lighthearted. ~Kathy
I absolutely loved your post, Kathy! Laughing Buddhas, I’ve heard are luckiest when they are gifted by someone – that’s what someone told me.
And that poem about the Wrinkles is so beautiful – I am going to print and put it up on my wall at home!
🙂 Thank you for a delightful read!
Hi Vidya! Glad you liked this one. I hadn’t heard that about gifting a Laughing Buddha but there are lots who believe they are good luck–especially if you rub his belly. And I knew most of my readers would appreciate that poem about wrinkles. All of the poems have the humorous twist about regular things that I so admire. ~Kathy