A 71-meter stone Buddha was carved into a cliff to calm turbulent river waters.
In short: Carved between 712 and 804 AD, the Leshan Giant Buddha is the world's tallest pre-modern statue. Beyond its sheer scale, this Tang dynasty masterpiece features a sophisticated, hidden drainage system that has protected the stone from erosion for over 1,200 years, keeping the interior dry despite constant exposure to rain.
The Leshan Giant Buddha, located at the confluence of the Min, Dadu, and Qingyi rivers in Sichuan, China, was initiated by the monk Hai Tong in 722 AD. Hai Tong sought to appease the dangerous river currents that threatened shipping vessels. Legend holds that he gouged out his own eyes to demonstrate his sincerity when funding for the project faced uncertainty. Following his death, construction stalled until local officials and later the Jiedushi Wei Gao provided the necessary support, finally completing the massive figure in 803 AD.
Standing 71 meters tall, the statue is a feat of engineering and artistry. Its proportions are immense: the shoulders span 28 meters, and the smallest toenail is large enough to accommodate a seated person. The head, measuring 14.7 meters high, is adorned with 1,021 spiraled curls. While the body is carved from red sandstone, the ears were crafted from wood and finished with clay. Originally, a thirteen-story wooden pavilion sheltered the statue, but this structure was destroyed by the Mongols at the end of the Yuan dynasty.
The statue's longevity is largely attributed to an ingenious, integrated drainage network. Hidden gutters and channels within the hair, collar, and chest, combined with drainage holes behind the ears, effectively manage rainwater runoff. Despite this, the site faces modern challenges. Pollution, weathering, and the biological growth of lichen and shrubs threaten the stone's integrity. In response, the government has implemented restoration projects, including major repairs funded by the World Bank in 2002, and established strict guidelines to manage the millions of tourists who visit annually to witness this mountain-sized icon.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Leshan Giant Buddha
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