It is said that a rumor saying that Hotei is a Miroku (a bodhisattva) incarnate was spread because he left a Gemon (religious verse) starting with a phrase: 'Although people are not aware, I am Miroku bodhisattva.'
彼が残した偈文に「弥勒菩薩真弥勒、世人は皆な識らず、云々」という句があったことから、実は布袋は弥勒の垂迹、つまり化身なのだという伝聞が広まったという。