Chinese Buddha
Lingshan Grand Buddha - an amazing bronze marvel by Pushpitha Wijesinghe
When visiting China's Jiangsu Province visitors should not miss an opportunity to visit the Lingshan Grand Buddha statue. It's situated in close proximity to the beautiful Maji Mountain peaks.
Standing at over 80 metres the statue, is a Sakyamuni Buddha statue made out of bronze and tin. The statue is claimed to be not only the tallest Buddha statue in China but also the world. The statue set outdoors weighs more than 600 tons.
The Buddha statue derives its name from the setting of the Lingshan Mountains. The mountains were so named by a Buddhist monk of the Tang dynasty, and became popular due to his visit to India, which is documented in the historical journals of China.
The bronze statue has attracted visitors from all parts of the world as it is highly symbolic to the locals in the community, and its claim for bestowing good luck on its visitors has traveled far and wide and many who come, come seeking the goodwill.
The reason that the statue was cast in bronze and tin is that bronze does not erode so quickly, with the statue being outdoors it would have to withstand harsh and changing weather patterns. However, there are also those who believe that bronze was the sacred metal of the Stone Age, and it was also the metal that has been attached to the classical Stone Age art works. In terms of Chinese culture the Stone Age serves as an age of immense importance.
Those who gaze at the statue will realize that prior to its completion in 2006 a lot of planning went into what the builders wanted it to signify. For instance, it was designed around features mentioned in the sacred text of the sutra. The welcoming smile and size are more than just the outside impressions of happiness and prosperity.
The right hand of the statue bears a seal, and with the palms of the statue turned towards the visitor it symbolizes the ending of suffering. The left hand has the fingers curled into a shape of a ring while the left hand also has a seal. This symbolizes happiness. The builders also carved humanistic features that make the face look solemn and also draw a merciful appearance, a characteristic highly looked up to by followers.
Aside from the beautiful statue is the popular bell celebration which takes place in the Lingshan Mountain on the eve of the Chinese New Year. The event draws over hundreds of participants who wish to bestow upon themselves blessings for the New Year ahead.
After wondering about the tranquil surroundings of the Lingshan Grand Buddha, a relaxing evening indoors could be found at a nearby Wuxi hotel. Those set in the busy new district area include the Millennium Wuxi,which offers guests a beautifully landscaped environment along with five star services to pamper the needs of travellers.
About the Author
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.