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Budai Luohan is almost always shown smiling or laughing; hence his nickname as the Laughing Buddha. Budai is an interpretation of the Bodhisattva Maitreya, the predicted Buddha to succeed Gautama Buddha in the future. He is a part of Buddhist, Taoist and Shinto culture and is based on an eccentric Chinese Chán monk. Budai in folklore is admired for his happiness, plenitude, and wisdom of contentment. One belief popular in folklore maintains that rubbing his belly brings wealth and good luck.