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I found out only too late that when i left Hotei outdoors for a while, the rain permanently damaged
the plaster. I could put my thumb through any point on the lower 1/3 of the figure.
I had a choice between watching him gradually break apart or getting it over with all at once.
He was a powerful Buddha, so i decided to give him a decent burial and here's what happened.
Dear Friends & Family, Remember the big plaster laughing Buddha that i painted about five years ago? (see picture) Anyway, he's dead now & the story is amazing, so i want to share it with those who "knew" him. I brought the big Buddha to Los Angeles about a year ago, thinking i would sell him in the shop, but soon gave up and brought him home. From there he went into my closet for a long time. When i moved to the gingerbread house last November, i put him outside where he really fit in and looked cute, but now i know that plaster statues suffer irreparable harm from standing outside in the rain. I moved him indoors but he just kept cracking more and more and i could put my thumb through his robes with very little effort. Finally last week i decided this was the end of the line and that i would ceremonially toss him in the trash, which i did on Good Friday the 13th (April 2001). Luckily, the gardener had made a soft bed of grass clippings earlier that day, so the Buddha went on top of that, wrapped in a blue plastic sheet. The really strange part was this morning (the 14th): the dumpster spontaneously combusted and three firemen were out there at 7:30 a.m., putting it out. I told the firemen that i had dumped the Buddha statue in there and they jokingly said, "Oh, then that's what started it!" as they stirred him up along with the other ashes. (Actually, they said that probably someone tossed a lit cigarette in the dumpster.) I took some pictures of the firemen and the resulting brew of buddha-ashes. It was actually pretty dangerous and still reeks out there. Plus, it's the second trash can i've burned up this year. But aside from the scary part about having a fire, i consider it a miraculous and magical ending for the statue, which always had a very life-like presence. Peace, -nori  
Nori, your poor, old Buddha!!! What a fiery end to him. Guess he had served his purpose and was ready to depart this earth. Can't think of too much going on around here in the way of news or remarkable events. Love you, Mom (& Don) Hail to the plaster buddha and fire-bug-nose! [from my brother] Enjoyed your Buddha story immensely. Love & hugs, Tree hi nori - thank you for sharing the laughing Buddha story. i enjoyed that great tale of a statue i really loved. what a great story!:) hope all is well in noriland and hope to see you soon - love and kisses - anna 
On 21 June 01 - the Summer Solstice and New Moon - The Laughing Buddha came back. I found the same Buddha in a 4-1/2" tall resin statue. The big baby pink and blue Buddha is missed and loved around here! 
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