『불설미륵대성불경』, 6부 중 1부

The pot-bellied, always smile and delightful Maitreya Buddha has often been respectfully called “the Smiling Buddha,” “Joyful Buddha,” or “Big Belly Maitreya Buddha.” His magnanimous loving kindness has been so deeply engraved in people’s hearts that anyone who sees his image would feel joyous and happy. As Chinese Buddhism began to spread to eastern Asia, Maitreya Buddha’s loving and kind holy image was often seen in southeastern Asian countries.