Ep. 9

In the tang dynasty there was a stout fellow who was called the happy chinaman, or the laughing buddha.

This hotei had no desire to call himself a zen master, or to gather disciples around him. Instead he walked the streets with a sack on his back full of candy, fruit and doughnuts -- which he gave out to the children who gathered and played around him.

Whenever he met a zen devotee he would extend his hand and say: "give me one penny." and if anyone asked him to return to the temple to teach others, again he would reply: "give me one penny." once when he was at his play-work another zen master happened to along and inquired: "what is the significance of zen?" hotei immediately plopped his sack down on the ground in silent answer.

"then," asked the other, "what is the actualization of zen?" at once the happy chinaman swung the sack over his shoulder and continued on his way.

Season 1

Acharya says that laughter is "the very essence of Zen." And though the theme of this series is meditation - watching, remaining alert and aware - as the only way to truth, Acharya encourages us to, "be happy and meditation will follow." There is a wonderful chapter on laughter, Hotei the Laughing Buddha, and enlightenment. As Acharya says, "This is the whole effort of all the masters: to create a sudden clash of thunder so those who are fast asleep can be awakened."