This Giant Buddha in Le Shan, Sichuan is the Largest Carved Stone Buddha in the World!
The Grand Buddha at Leshan (Sichuan Province, China) is the largest ancient stone carved image of Buddha in the world, standing 71 metres in height. It is located at the foot of Mt. Lingyun, where the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi Rivers meet. This edifice was constructed to control dangerous currents (previously causing many local boat owners to drown), for flood mitigation, and also worship by the monk, Haitong, in the Tang dynasty.
Construction took place between 713 AD and 803 AD, and the finished project has proven successful in meeting the goals set by Haitong long ago.
I went to Sichuan Province to teach at an English Summer Camp at the University of Electronic Science and Technology, during summer, 2006, and visited the Grand Buddha at Le Shan during that time. For a perspective on the Buddha's size, take a look at the people standing at the Buddha's feet in the image, above.
Construction took place between 713 AD and 803 AD, and the finished project has proven successful in meeting the goals set by Haitong long ago.
I went to Sichuan Province to teach at an English Summer Camp at the University of Electronic Science and Technology, during summer, 2006, and visited the Grand Buddha at Le Shan during that time. For a perspective on the Buddha's size, take a look at the people standing at the Buddha's feet in the image, above.
Contents at a Glance
- Leshan (Sichuan Province, China) Weather!
- Floral Display: "Fo" (Pronounced "four" - Buddha) at The Entrance to Leshan Giant Buddha Park!
- Leshan Giant Buddha - Basic Information!
Leshan (Sichuan Province, China) Weather!
How does it compare with your local weather conditions?
Floral Display: "Fo" (Pronounced "four" - Buddha) at The Entrance to Leshan Giant Buddha Park!
Leshan Giant Buddha - Basic Information!
Browse through the details of the Giant Buddha and discover how immense it is!
- Location: Lingyun Hill, east of Leshan City (Sichuan Province, China), opposite Mount Emei.
- Latitude: 29.5468 N
- Longitude: 103.7693 E
- Altitude: 385.5 metres
- Construction: Between 713 AD and 803 AD.
- Heritage Listing: UNESCO World Heritage Site, 1996.
- Total Height: 71 metres high.
- Head: 14.7 metres high, covered with 1,021 chignons.
- Ear: 6.2 metres long.
- Eye: 3.3 metres wide.
- Shoulder: 28 metres wide.
- Middle finger: 8.3 metres long.
- Feet: 11 metres long and 8.5 meters wide.
Leshan Giant Buddha is Huge!
Look at these images to see what I mean!
Here is Leshan Giant Buddha's Portrait View!
The eye is a mere 3.3 metres wide and the shoulders measure 28 metres across!
Image of Leshan Giant Buddha on Flickr by... drs2biz!
Take a Look at Leshan Giant Buddha's Hands!
The length of the middle finger is 8.3 metres (yes, folks that's over 27 feet)!
Image of Leshan Giant Buddha on Flickr by... drs2biz!
See the People at Leshan Giant Buddha's Foot!
The feet are 11 metres long and 8.5 metres wide (that's approximately 36 x 28 feet)!
Image of Leshan Giant Buddha on Flickr by... drs2biz!
Leshan Giant Buddha's Huge Head - Side View!
The head is 14.7 metres high, covered with 1,021 chignons, and the ear is 6.2 m long!
Image of Leshan Giant Buddha on Flickr by... drs2biz!
The Changing Face of Leshan Giant Buddha!
These images of the Giant Maitreya Buddha captured between 1914 and 2008!
Image from beautifulcataya taken by Victor Segalen, 1914!
Image by drs2biz captured on August 8th, 2006!
Image by rduta captured on October 10th, 2008!
Over the centuries, the original protection for the Buddha, a wooden temple structure, has rotted away and left the figure exposed to the weather. Many restoration efforts have been undertaken, and the appearance of Maitreya has altered accordingly. Here are three views for you to compare!
In 2001, major restoration was launched, and the park was closed to the public for several months. Since then, the economy of this region has been booming, and the subsequent manufacturing plants have emitted coal fired pollutants. The image in the centre shows evidence of this.
Subsequent to the original images on this lens being captured in 2006, the Giant Buddha has undergone restoration work to alleviate environmental damage to its features. "The damage was due to acid rain, weathering and high humidity", Peng Xueyi, director of the Leshan Cultural Relics Management Institute states. The Institute is bracing itself for a five year cycle of maintenance to prevent further deterioration of the Giant Buddha. It is pleasing to note that the authorities are committed to preserving this monument, in line with its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Read About Leshan Giant Buddha on Wikipedia!
View What This On-line Reference Source Says About the Le Shan Giant Buddha!
The Leshan Giant Buddha was built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is carved out of a cliff face that lies at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers in the southern part of Sichuan province in China, near the city of Leshan. The stone sculpture faces Mount Emei, with the rivers flowing below his feet.The Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. It was not damaged by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
Leshan Giant Buddha Dragon Pool & Tiger Lair!
A statue in Leshan Giant Buddha Park about the legend of Buddhism's guardian angels!
Image of White Tiger Statue on Flickr by... drs2biz!
"Lingyun hill, with dense forests and parks, provided in ancient times a good shelter to a white tiger, while at the foot of the hill the three rivers Mingjiang, Dado and Qingyi met and provided a black dragon with waves for play. It was said that the white tiger and black dragon, inspired by Buddhist sculptures, changed themselves into a stone dragon and a jade tiger to guard Buddhism. In Buddhist scriptures, the dragon and the tiger are regarded as guardian angels. Cen Shen, a poet and governor of Jiazhou, wrote during a visit to Lingyun Hill: 'Wind blows over the tiger lair, rain drops to fill the dragon pool'. This site, later named Dragon Pool and Tiger Lair, has been one of the scenic spots in Lingyun Hill since the Tang Dynasty."
From a sign in Le Shan Grand Buddha Park - drs2biz.
Cen Shen (715-770 AD) by drs2biz!
"It's easier to pluck out your eyes than get wealthy following Buddha!"
Memorial Statue of Buddhist Monk Haitong!
The Mastermind Behind Leshan Giant Buddha!
The quote, above, is from the Buddhist monk Haitong, who was responsible for the creation of the Leshan Giant Buddha. It is said that a bureaucrat, in the time of Haitong, ordered him to hand over large amounts of money he had collected from the people for this construction project. After Haitong made this famous statement, the evil official challenged him to back up his words with action... and Haitong promptly plucked out his own eyes! This brave monk protected the money, donated for the statue, with his own life.
Troubled by the loss of life and property by the raging currents in this area, Haitong decided to enlist the aid of Matreya Buddha to calm the spirits of the water. This massive project was finally completed, 90 years after it was commenced.
As a result of the rocks produced from carving out the image of Buddha being discarded in the river at the feet of the statue, the currents were abated. Was this a coincidental result, or an answer to many prayers? The Buddha works in mysterious ways!
The inscriptions at the base of the statue read as follows:
"Zi Mu Ke Wan Fo Cai Nan De" -
[It is easier to pluck out your eyes than get wealthy following Buddha].
"Hai Jin Chan Shi Gui Zhou Ren. Le Shan Da Fo Chuang Shi Ren" -
[Monk Hai Jin was from Guizhou. He started construction of Le Shan Grand Buddha].
"Le Shan Da Fo Wu You Wen Guan Ju Jian" -
[This statue was built by Le Shan Grand Buddha Wu You Culture Department"].
Leshan Giant Buddha on Amazon!
An Elevated View of the Great Buddha of Leshan Photographic Poster Print by Jodi Cobb, 48x36
Amazon Price: $129.99 (as of 12/11/2009) 
The Dragon The Dragon: Buddha's Touch
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 12/11/2009)
The Dragon: Buddha's touch
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 12/11/2009)
An Elevated View of the Great Buddha of Leshan Photographic Poster Print by Jodi Cobb, 40x30
Amazon Price: $99.99 (as of 12/11/2009)
Le Shan Giant Buddha Scenic Spots!
Along the 500 metre long Grand Buddha Cliff Road are many scenic spots of legends.
Leshan Grand Buddha - a 71 metre high stone sculpture carved into the cliffs adjacent to the river. In a poem, it says: "The Buddha looks like a hill, and the hill holds only the Buddha". When the work on the Buddha was finished, it began to shine with gold and jade covering all over its body. Some heritage experts from the United Nations once spoke highly of it, saying: "Visiting this Giant Buddha of Leshan is as impressive as seeing many of the other great cultural stone monuments such as the Sphynx L&P, and the Valley of the Kings in Egypt's Nile Valley".On the Leshan Giant Buddha Trail by drs2biz!
Wang E Platform - a terrace named so by Cen Shen, A Tang dynasty Jiazhou (Leshan) governor. Looking away from this place, you would find that the three E Mountains are calm and peaceful, and watching the river running out from over the horizon, you would be drunk by the beauty of nature.Nice-Turn Cliff Road - a zigzag cliff road built in the 8th century. It was described in history as "a passage for birds" because of its dangerous nature. Along the road, there are lots of delicate Buddha images.
The Entrance of the Sea for the Third Prince of King Dragon - a passage through which the third prince of King Dragon came to Lingyun Dongpo Tower Study to learn from Scholar Su Shi.
... from a sign in the Leshan Giant Buddha Park - drs2biz.
Leshan Giant Buddha Park Photos on Flickr!
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Le Shan Giant Buddha on eBay!
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Other Buddhas At This Park:
Seen in the many temples, pavilions and halls!
Big-belly Arhat at Doushuai Hall!
Image of "Big-belly Arhat" on Flickr by... drs2biz!
"Doushuai", a transliteration from Sanskrit, means satisfaction or appreciation. Doushuai Hall is the residence of Matreya.
According to the Records of the Buddha, during the period of the Five Dynasties, there was a fat monk named Xie Ci who used to carry a sack with him and tell fortunes . At the time he was going to die, he murmured in gatha again and again: "Matreya is really great. he has millions upon millions images". This fat monk was thus regarded later as a figure of Matreya. This image was established in the Ming Dynasty. It is also called "Big-belly Arhat"... from a sign at the park!
Doushuai Hall is located just before visitors reach the viewing area of the Leshan Giant Buddha and you pass through this area to reach the main statue.
Guanyin Statue!
Buddha Guanyin is one of the "3 Saints in the West".Guanyin, or "Guanshiyin", is translated from Sanskrit "Avolokitesvara". In the Buddhist scripture, it says that Guanyin is the Buddha of Mercy who can magically change himself into 33 different figures, and save people from 12 unbearable disasters and lead them to the Western Paradise.
Mount Putuo is Guanyin's Sanctum. ... from a sign at the park!
Guanyin (Avalokitesvara) is an important Buddhist image in China. To view further details of this revered figure, have a look at this lens on Nanshan Buddhism Cultural Park!
Guanyin Statue Image by drs2biz!
Sakyamuni Statue!
Sakyamuni is said to have three bodies named Fashen, Baoshen and Yingshen, relatively referring to images of Buddhist doctrines, intelligence and virtues.- Fashen - Pilushena, a transliteration from Sanskrit "Mahavairocana", which means Buddhism illuminating all over the world.
- Baoshen - Lushena, a transliteration from Sanskrit "Vairocana", which means intelligence in saving oneself.
- Yingshen - Sakyamuni, the common image of the Grand Buddha that advocates social virtues or good deeds.
... from a sign at the park!
Sakyamuni Statue image: drs2biz!
The 18 Arhats (Disciples) of Sakyamuni!
Before the Five Dynasties, there used to be 16 figures of them in the temple. In the Song Dynasty two were added in. It was said that Sakyamuni asked his disciples to remain on the earth to safeguard Buddhism and serve mankind.... from a sign at the park!
Statues of Buddha Wenshu & Buddha Dashizhi!
Buddha Wenshu is one of the four big Buddhas in Chinese temples.
"Wenshu" or "WenshuShill", a transliteration from Sanskrit "Munjurri"", means virtues or good fortunes. Because of his high wisdom, Wenshu is regarded as Mother and teacher of Buddhas according to Huayan Scriptures.
Mount Wutai, in Shanxi, is Wenshu's sanctum.
"Dashizhi", a transliteration from Sanskrit "Mahasthamaprapta", means most powerful.
The Buddhist scripture says that Dasizhi is so named because the Buddha illuminates all over the world with his wisdom and makes the Three Evils less powerful. Together with Guanyin, he keeps Amituofu's (Amitabha's) company, and all of the three are regarded as "Three Saints in the West".
Statues of Buddha Dicang & Buddha Puxian!
Buddha Dicang (LH Statue) is one of the four big Buddhas in Chinese temples.
"Dicang", a transliteration from Sanskrit "Ksitigarbha" means to bear tortures deep in the heart and to be as calm as the earth. Asked by Sakyamuni to save people, Dicang vowed not to be a Buddha until he had successfully led everyone to leave their sins. For this, he has been regarded as a Buddha who saves people when they are living and after their death as well. Mount Jiuhua is his Sanctum.
Buddha Puxian (RH Statue) is one of the four big Buddhas in Chinese temples.
"Puxian", a translation from Sanskrit "Samantabhadra", means universal philanthropy. According to Buddhist scriptures, Puxian represents actions or hard work, for he devotes himself to both Buddhism and to the education of the people.
In the Buddhist world, Mount Emei is recognised as his Sanctum.
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- drs2biz drs2biz Sep 29, 2009 @ 2:58 am | in reply to susannaduffy
- Thanks Susanna. You've made my day... I needed a boost like this :)
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- susannaduffy susannaduffy Sep 25, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
- Blessed by a Squid Angel today. (squidoo.com/september-blessings )
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- drs2biz drs2biz Jul 17, 2009 @ 5:06 pm | in reply to RinchenChodron
- Thanks, Rinchen Chodron, I feel honoured this lens has been accepted into your wonderful group. It was very hot when I visited the Grand Buddha. Summer in Sichuan is very oppressive. Waiting in a queue for over an hour was not very pleasant, either! It was well worth the trouble, however. The breathtaking size and craftsmanship of the Buddha made it worthwhile.
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- RinchenChodron RinchenChodron Jul 17, 2009 @ 1:35 pm
- Fascinating! I had never known about this (probably because it is in China) - welcome to the Dharma group.
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- drs2biz drs2biz Jul 5, 2009 @ 10:25 pm | in reply to roysumit
- Thanks Sumit. I think the ones in Afghanistan were larger, but now this one is the biggest, by attrition :-(
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Leshan "Da Fo" - Awesome & Inspirational Too!
This giant rock carving inspires millions of visitors to follow Buddha!
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