The Leshan Giant Buddha
(simplified Chinese: Lèsha-n Dà fó) was built during the Tang Dynasty
(618–907AD). 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 carved stone Buddha in the world and it is by far 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. It was not damaged by the 2008 Sichuan
earthquake. 09 more images after the break...
History
Construction was started in 713,
led by a Chinese monk named Haitong. He hoped that the Buddha would calm
the turbulent waters that plagued the shipping vessels traveling down
the river. When funding for the project was threatened, he is said to
have gouged out his own eyes to show his piety and sincerity. After his
death, however, the construction was stuck due to insufficient funding.
About 70 years later, a jiedushi decided to sponsor the project and the
construction was completed by Haitong's disciples in 803.
Apparently the massive
construction resulted in so much stone being removed from the cliff face
and deposited into the river below that the currents were indeed
altered by the statue, making the waters safe for passing ships.
Via — Link
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