Anyone walking about Chinatowns in America will observe statues of a stout fellow carrying a linen sack. Chinese merchants call him Happy Chinaman or Laughing Buddha.
This Hotei lived during the T’ang dynasty. He had no desire to call himself a Zen master or to gather disciples around him. Instead, he walked the streets with a big sack into which he would put gifts of candy, fruit or doughnuts. These he would give to children who gathered around him in play. He established a kindergarten of the streets.
Whenever he met a Zen devotee, he would extend his hand and say: “Give me a penny.”
Once, as he was about to play-work, another Zen master happened 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 actualisation of Zen?”
At once, the Happy Chinaman swung the sack over his shoulder and continued on his way.
Source: http://www.101zenstories.org