Leshan Giant Buddha (front view)
Date/Time: Sat Jul 15 00:51:31 2006
The Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan Province, China was begun in 713, during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and completed in the 19th year of Emperor Dezong (803 AD). At 71 meters (220 feet), it is the largest stone sculpture of Buddha in the world. It sits at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers.
This photo was taken from the river.
This photo was taken from the river.
Leshan Buddha (front/side)
Date/Time: Sat Jul 15 00:53:56 2006
The Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan Province, China was begun in 713, during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and completed in the 19th year of Emperor Dezong (803 AD). At 71 meters (220 feet), it is the largest stone sculpture of Buddha in the world. It sits at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers.
The statue is of Maitreyanot, a disciple of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. Note the size of the people walking up the side of the mountain.
The statue is of Maitreyanot, a disciple of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. Note the size of the people walking up the side of the mountain.
Mt. Emei - Wan-nian Temple - Entrance Gate
Date/Time: Sat Jul 15 19:01:54 2006
There were an amazing number of people at the gate into the temple.
Mt. Emei - Wan-nian Temple - Gold-domed Temple
Date/Time: Sat Jul 15 19:13:25 2006
This temple contains the statue of Samantabhadra riding a six tusked white elephant.
Mt. Emei - Wan-nian Temple - Statue of Samantabhadra
Date/Time: Sat Jul 15 19:27:50 2006
Samantabhadra is one of the 4 major Bodhisattvas in Buddhism. According to the Avatamsaka Sutra (the Garland Sutra, meaning Flower Adornment Sutra), Samantabhadra expressed the cherished wish to disseminate the doctrines of the Buddha and was nicknamed "Samantabhadra the Tireless Traveller". He stood in attendance at Sakyamuni's (i.e. the Buddha's) right side and was in charge of benevolence, while Manjusri stood to the Buddha's left as the Bodhisattva in charge of wisdom. Since Samantabhadra was in the habit of reading and observing nature on the road, he needed a mount that could walk as smoothly as possible. That is why he was fond of riding his white elephant with 6 tusks. So in the Buddhist art, he is often shown as holding a double curved sceptre in his hand and sitting on a lotus seat fastened to the back of his elephant.
