Picture of the Day: World’s Largest Stone Buddha
10 years, 4 months ago - December 03, 2013
The Leshan Giant Buddha was built during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD). 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. It is the largest stone Buddha in the world and the tallest pre-modern statue in the world.
The Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Luckily it was not damaged by the deadly 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Construction was started in 713, led by a Chinese monk named Haitong. After several delays, construction was completed by Haitong’s disciples in 803. At 71 metres (233 feet) tall, the statue depicts a seated Maitreya Buddha with his hands resting on his knees. His shoulders are 28 metres wide and his smallest toenail is large enough to easily accommodate a seated person
