The Laughing Buddha and the Dragon: A Temple Garden Display

A large, colorful statue of the Laughing Buddha (Budai) sitting atop a turquoise-green dragon sculpture at an outdoor temple or shrine. The Laughing Buddha figure is plump and jovial, wearing golden and red robes with a string of prayer beads around his neck and held in his right hand. His bald head and wide smile are characteristic of the traditional Budai depiction. Below him, a detailed green dragon with gold accents, scales, horns, and whiskers rests with its mouth slightly open. The scene is surrounded by potted plants and flowering bushes with pink and purple blooms. A large natural rock formation rises to the upper right against a clear blue sky. The paint on the statues shows some weathering and chipping, suggesting they have been exposed to the elements for some time.