smiling Buddha statue; laughing Buddha
Refers to a statue of a smiling or laughing Buddha, often associated with Hotei (布袋) or Maitreya. Common in Buddhist temples and as a symbol of happiness.
A smiling Buddha statue was placed at the entrance of the temple.
This laughing Buddha is said to bring good fortune.
Standard spelling for the smiling/laughing Buddha statue.
Abbreviated kanji form; less common but still encountered.
Compound of 笑い (warai, 'smile/laugh') and 仏 (hotoke, 'Buddha'), with rendaku voicing hotoke → botoke. The term straightforwardly describes a statue of a smiling or laughing Buddha.