Tour of Some of Asia’s Grandest Giant Buddhas

According to Buddhist belief, Buddha – whose name was Gautama – was a bodhisattva: someone who has attained enlightenment worthy of nirvana (heaven), but hangs around in the human world to help others. Gautama had apparently used up thousands of lives before arriving on Earth to preach his doctrine of detachment and moderation.

Still, his legacy has spawned some of the world's most extravagantly-proportioned statues. In honour of Hong Kong’s upcoming Buddha Day festival on May 10, let's embark on a lightning tour of some of Asia’s grandest giant Buddhas. These monstrous monuments rise up from temples and hillsides, rivalling the sun and moon themselves for sheer 'wow' factor.

1. Sukhothai, Thailand

Thailand is teeming with giant Buddhas. In fact, a blogger could easily write a post purely devoted to giant Buddhas in Thailand. One of the most character-filled specimens stands at the thirteenth-century Wat Si Chum (Temple of the Bodhi Tree) in Sukhothai, halfway between Chiang Mai and Bangkok. One feature that makes the Buddha remarkable is the prominence of his massive but lithe gold-painted hand. More than other giant Buddhas, the Wat Si Chum statue looks real – ready to rise up and greet you with a twinkle.

2. Leshan, Sichuan

The Buddha of Leshan in Sichuan, China, may be the world's most impressive giant Buddha. Words like 'vast' and 'humongous' scarcely begin to do justice to his epic size. Carved out of a cliff face, the Leshan Buddha makes visitors look infinitesimally small. This Buddha survived the Sichuan earthquake unscathed, though, unfortunately pollution has started to mark the Buddha's proud pink features.

3. Tian Tan, Hong Kong

Again mammoth even by the standards of giant Buddhas, Hong Kong's Tian Tan Buddha towers over a plateau amid the spectacular mountain scenery of Lantau Island. The Tian Tan Buddha’s tilted head and general fluidity lend him elegance and character. If you want to get close to him, you must be devoted. His platform is perched atop 200 steps.

4. Wat Pho, Bangkok

A giant Buddha need not necessarily sit facing you like an enthroned king. Some giant Buddhas recline on their sides. Designed to show the passing of the Buddha into nirvana, the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho in Bangkok stretches 46 meters, his feet and eyes engraved with mother-of-pearl. Like the Sukhothai giant Buddha, the Wat Pho statue is both delicate and formidable at once.

5. Todaiji, Nara, Japan

Todaiji is a Japanese Buddhist temple complex equipped with a Great Buddha Hall said to be the world's largest wooden building. Aptly, the building houses Japan's largest Buddha statue, commonly called the Daibutsu (Great Buddha). Built from copper and bronze, the Daibutsu stands 30 meters tall. His elaborate hairdo incorporates 966 bronze balls. What a contrast he cuts with shaven-headed monks.

Sources