8 Facts About The Leshan Giant Buddha

 

By Ariel Steiner - Source : Wikimedia Commons

Giant Buddha Leshan, also known as a giant Buddha Lingyun, is the largest stone Buddha in the world. 71 meters high. It is 8 meters higher than Bamyan Buddha in Afghanistan.

 

This giant Buddha carved from the side of the cliff of mountains in Leshan in Sichuan Province. This site accepts the most visitors in Leshan.

 

It took 90 years to carve out a giant Buddha Leshan, this was during the Tang Dynasty. People returned later worshiping Maitreya, they were, therefore, building this statue to bring brightness and happiness.

 

Sitting along the edge of Min, Qingyi, and the Dadu river, Giant Buddha lethan knelt while his eyes remained on the river.

 

This place is also often visited by Buddhists who pay homage to Maitreya. The site and statue were registered as the UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Mount Emei in 1996.

 

These are the top facts about Giant Leshan Buddha.

 

1. The Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone carving in the world.

By 王计 - Source : Wikimedia Commons

This is a Maitreya statue in a sitting posture. This is also the largest carved stone Buddha in the world.

 

Giant Buddha has been displayed in poetry, songs, and stories. This project was initiated by a monk named Hai Tong.

 

He was worried about the suffering of old people who earned a living around a three-river meeting. Their daily activities put them at a big risk every day.

 

When Hai Tong died, the project was half finished. Continued by two vibrant students. They finished it at 803 BC.

 

People's security is secured because no accident is reported. The river currents are changed by deposits from a giant Buddha.

 

2. It took more than 90 years to complete this Giant Buddha.

Carving Leshan Giant Buddha began in 713 during the Tang dynasty.

 

About 3,000 sculptors worked on a statue for 90 years needed to solve it. As the largest carved stone Buddha in the world, this giant Buddha is displayed in poetry, songs and stories.

 

Hai Tong hopes that the Buddha will help calm turbulent waters. Many ships have crashed and reversed from this river meeting.

 

He campaigned to get funds for this project. At one point, he threatened to trigger his eyes as a sign of picheness if funding was stopped.

 

The work was stopped after his death due to lack of funds. His students continued work after they were financed by a local official.

 

3. The Leshan Giant Buddha can show emotions.

By Jonas Ginter - Source : Flickr

This giant Buddha is very sad and happy during different moments. He did this by closing his eyes when he was sad or showed happiness when he was satisfied with a certain situation.

 

However, this is said to have been caused by bad weather and air pollution.

 

For example, when Buddhist believers Giant Leshan cried, in 1962, 1963, and 1976. He showed happiness in 1994, 2001 and 2002.

 

In 1962, there was a natural disaster that lasted for two years. It was said to have caused a giant Buddha to close his eyes. He could not bear to watch people suffer.

 

Millions of people lost their lives from hunger. The Buddha could not bear to see the tragedy. Tears were seen flowing on the face of the giant Buddha.

 

4. The sculpture depicts a famous Buddha.

By BrightRaven - Source : Wikimedia

The giant Buddha was spatient in the 8th century during the Tang Dynasty. The brain behind the project is Hai Tong.

 

When the statue was carved, it was the highlight of Buddhist culture in ancient China. This statue describes Maitreya, a very popular Buddha in the Tang Dynasty.

 

It is believed that when Maitreya came to the world, he brought peace with him. A Chinese Sovereign woman, Wu Zetian, believes she is reincarnated as a Maitreya. She strongly supports the project.

 

The giant Buddha is believed to be a source of light and happiness. Hai also believed that the Buddha would protect people from flood.

 

5. It was carved to appease the Gods.

By Julien - Source : Flickr

Buddhism has become one of the most important religions in ancient China. Many people build statues around the giant Buddha to thank God.

 

Buddha monk Hai Tong is concerned about the safety of the local community. These people make a living from three rivers.

 

People would travel on the river using a boat and they would lose their lives in turbulent waters. So, Hai believed that to end this, they need to calm the gods.

 

It took more than 20 years to raise funds for this project. He refused to get help from the government because they wanted to get personal benefits.

 

He even extracted his eyes in protest against local authorities. They retreated after this incident.

 

6. There were no accidents on the river during the time the Buddha was being carved.

After the Buddha was finished, there were no corresponding cases reported. What changes is that the pieces of stones removed from the cliff are brought to the river and in turn, reduce the flow of turbulents.

 

Pleased with this, people built the han dynasty tomb near the Giant Buddha Leshan. This historic site makes Giant Buddha Leshan mostly important for archaeologists and examines the lifestyle of the people in ancient times.

 

The sophisticated drainage system was added to Giant Buddha Leshan when built. This includes a drainage pipe carved into various places on the statue. It drains water and reduces the weather.

 

7. The Leshan Giant Buddha has been damaged severally.

By rduta - Source : Wikimedia

At the beginning of the North Song Dynasty, Giant Buddha Leshan had been damaged. Small care was given and it was covered in moss. The wooden pavilion even collapsed.

 

It was fixed during Renzong song administration. The wooden pavilion is rebuilt. After that, there is little information that shows the reconstruction and deconstruction of the Buddha.

 

Pollution from developments in this region also greatly affects giant Buddha.

 

8. One can view the Leshan Giant Buddha on a boat.

To get a good view of Giant Buddha Leshan massively, someone can take a boat. This saves time and energy climbing wooden boards.

 

This boat was distributed by a group of tourists, and it sailed in front of the river by quitting often. Tourists take the view of the Buddha panorama, then return to the pier.

 

Someone can also choose walking and boat streets. The boat can be taken to the Baxiandong pier.