Short Stuff: Laughing Buddha

In this bite-sized episode, Josh and Chuck dive into the surprisingly complex world of the Laughing Buddha and clear up a major misconception about who he actually is. They explain the difference between Gautama Buddha, the historical figure who founded Buddhism, and all the various deities and bodhisattvas that have become part of Buddhist tradition over the centuries. The guys reveal the real story behind that chubby, grinning Buddha statue you see in restaurants and tourist shops, explain why he became a patron saint of bartenders and restaurant workers, and explore why Buddhists are totally cool with Westerners rubbing his belly for good luck.