The height of the Daibutsu statue is around 13.35m where as the weight of the statue is about 93 000 kilograms. The statue of the Great Buddha is the considered as the largest Buddha monument after Todaiji which is located in Nara. Many people believe that the Daibutsu is the most impressive Buddha monument present in Japan.

As in Nara, initially the Diabutsu statue was placed inside a temple. The statue was been created in the year 1252 AD during the Kamakura period. The temple was a huge wooden structure. A tsunami took place in the region in the late fifteen century. In this tsunami the temple was completely washed out. As a result the statue was found standing in the open air. Later no temple was been constructed around the statue.

The statue of the Great Buddha is placed in the seated position of Lotus. Also a Dhyani Mudra is formed with his hand. The Dhyani Mudra is the gesticulation of contemplation. The expressions of the Great Buddha are very peaceful. The statue has a fine-looking background of a thick forested hill. With all this wonderful sites theb statue of the Great Buddha is surely a impressive scene.

The statue of the Great Buddha is a Amidha Buddha and is considered as the center of the Pure Land Buddhism. This section originally belongs to China but with the passing time it has gained a huge importance since the early twelve century even in Japan. The popularity is the same even today and is increasing with the single passing day. The fundamental lessons are that in the course of dedication to Amida Buddha, which are articulated during the various mantras and the genuineness of heart, the individual will make his way to the Pure Land or “Western Paradise” after his death. It is considered as a lovely dominion through which it becomes easy to achieve nirvana.

The Daibutsu is positioned in the open atmosphere. The head of the statue is alarming on top of the numerous pine trees. The face of the statue is placed in the direction of the calm water of the deep oceans of the imaginary Nirnava. The figurine of Buddha is a hodgepodge of sections of bronze, also the exterior is being done up with the help of the file. There are many distinguishing uniqueness in the various parts of the statue’s body.

The eyes of the Great Buddha are horizontal in shape, where as the eyebrows are having semi-circular shape. On the forehead of the Great Buddha you will see a white colored curl. It is believed that the curl produces numerous light rays to the various worlds in the universe. The white curl is made up of around 13.5 kilograms of pure quality silver.  The face of the Great Buddha shows a Ionian smile. The edge of the nose has its beginning from the brow which maintains amazing of Greek-Art. The legs of the statue of the Great Buddha are crossed also they are slightly disposed in the forward direction. The statue is posed in the normal meditating way. This position for meditation was basically used by the Indians but was later adopted and still is in used by the Japanese Buddha. Mostly the position is highly adopted by the Buddhist followers of Zen. The visitors feel very much close to the Great Buddha when they approach the statue as the eyes direction form a right angle when it faces the ground.

Getting there

The airport that is located close to the Great Buddha is Kansai Airport. Hase Station is the nearest located Railway station from the Great Buddha. Hase Station is an important station on the Enoden Railway route. On the Enoden Railway route the Hase station is the 3rd station after the main station Kamakura. When you get out of the Hase station you are required to walk hardly for around 5-10 minutes to reach the Great Buddha.

Opening Timings

The Great Buddha is open for the public visits from seven in the morning up to six in the evenings. During the winter season the public visits are closed by 5:30 in the evening.

Entrance Cost

Every adult visiting the Great Buddha are required to pay ¥200 at the entrance booth where as the entrance cost for the children is ¥150. If you are willing to go in the interior of the statue you are required to pay additional amount of ¥20.

Photography

Photography is permitted in the interior as well as in the exterior of the Great Buddha.

History

In the year 713 AD, Gaint Buddha’s construction was started. The concept behind the statue was of Haitong who was a Chinese monk. He believed that if erected at the rivers confluence Buddha will surely calm down the unstable water waves that would create numerous accidents in the river waters. His concept was not mere paranormal thought. When the statue was carved out of the cliff a huge quantity of debris was found which was later deposited in the rivers. The deposited debris helped the river water to calm down.

At a point of time there was a threat for the funding of the monks project. The monk replied that if required to prove his sincerity and faithfulness he was even ready to score out his own eyes. The construction of the Giant Buddha’s statue was completed by 803 AD by the monk’s followers and with the help of the local governor. Even today there are many dangerous water currents that take place at the confluence of the 3 rivers but till date no accidents have taken place.

What to See

The statue of Buddha is a normal seated Maitreya Buddha statue which is commonly known as Dafo. The statue has his hand having rest on the Knees, also he gazes across the three rivers and his eyes are heavily-lidded. The future Buddha aka Maitreya has the responsibility of teaching the customs and the traditions to the people that were taught by the Buddha earlier but now are faded away. Maitreya was very much popular among the people from 4th up to 7th century. Across the entire world of Buddhism his images are easily found. His figure conveys his attribute atmosphere of promise as well as expectancy.

The height of the Buddha is around 233 feet tall. The width of his shoulder is around 93 feet also your surprise on the nail of his smallest foot figure a huge man can comfortably accommodate. The length of the either eyebrow of Buddha is around 18 feet. Locally it is been said that “The mountain is a Buddha and the Buddha is a mountain.”

Numerous drainage passageways are been constructed in the Buddha’s collar, hair, chest also holes are been pierced on the back of Buddha’s ears. This was made as to protect Buddha from weathering as well as serious erosion. The statue of Buddha has been maintained excellently as well as willingly for the last 12 centuries. Even after so many precautions already taken the statue of Buddha is quite mossy even today.

Visitors gaze in terror at the Buddha from the sightseer commuter boat and as of the porch which is positioned subsequently to the Buddha’s ear. A modern statue of the monk Haitong is placed on one of the side of the porch also following it is located the Lingyun Temple Museum with displays on the creations and overhauls of the Dafo.

Wuyou Si is located at the Southern end of the Giant Buddha. The visitors pass it while their way to the Buddha in the ferry. A monastery which had pink colored wall was been founded in the year 742 AD. The wall was impressively decorated with huge gate as well as its guardians. Scenes that belonged to the Journey to the West as well as figures of arhants are drawn on the walls. The presence of the tombs that belonged to the Han-dynasty describes that even before the construction of the Buddha statue the place was a sacred one.

Getting there

The Chengdu Shuangliu International airport is located at a distance of 93 miles from the Leshan city. This distance is easily covered with the help of intercity buses and also with the help of ferries.

When to visit

The Giant Buddha should be visited during the spring and the autumn season. During this time the atmosphere is quite pleasant.

Opening timings

The Giant Buddha is opened to his visitors from 7:30 am up to 7:30 pm during the months of May up to September. Also in the months from October to April the visit is open from 8 am up to 6 pm.

Entrance Cost

Every individual intending to visit the Giant Buddha needs to pay an amount of ¥80.