One cannot deny the profound impact that the study of Buddhism has had on the realm of art, giving rise to a plethora of exquisite creations.
Among these, the Buddharupa statues, gracing the sacred grounds of Buddhist temples, stand out as awe-inspiring manifestations of the Awakened One’s essence.
In this compilation, we present to you ten iconic sculptures that pay tribute to the message of peace conveyed by Buddha himself. Notably, some of these colossal statues rank among the largest ever crafted, leaving spectators in sheer amazement.
10. Leshan Giant Buddha
The Giant Buddha of Leshan is an enormous statue located in Sichuan, western China. This magnificent sculpture portrays Maitreya, a Bodhisattva that is traditionally depicted in a seated position.
Construction on this marvelous work of art began in 713 during the Tang Dynasty and was finally completed in 803, after the hard work of countless sculptors and laborers.
As the largest carved stone Buddha in existence, the Leshan Giant Buddha has become the subject of poems, songs, and stories. Standing at an impressive height of 71 meters (233 feet), it features colossal hands with fingers that stretch three meters (11 feet) in length.
Today, this remarkable masterpiece attracts tourists from all over, cementing its status as a popular visitor attraction in China.
9. Ushiku Daibutsu
The Ushiku Daibutsu, found in the charming city of Ushiku, Japan, is a truly magnificent sight.
Completed in 1995, this awe-inspiring statue stands tall at an impressive height of 120 meters (394 feet), which includes both its 10-meter (30-foot) base and a beautiful 10-meter high lotus platform.
Those who embark on a visit to this remarkable Buddha statue have the opportunity to ride an elevator that takes them to a platform adorned with an observation deck.
Crafted from bronze plating, the sculpture portrays Amitabha Buddha and is famously referred to as Ushiku Arcadia.
8. Temple of the Emerald Buddha
One of Bangkok’s prominent Buddhist temples is Wat Phra Kaew, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It is situated within the vast grounds of the Grand Palace. The centerpiece of this temple is the central ubosoth, where you can find The Emerald Buddha.
This Buddha statue holds immense historical significance, as it is among the oldest and most renowned Buddha statues in the world. The statue, made of jade and adorned with gold attire, has an intriguing origin tale.
Legend has it that it was crafted in the city of Pataliputra, India, back in 43 BC. For 300 years, it resided there until Buddhist monks moved it to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD, to safeguard it from the ravages of war.
Eventually, the statue found its way to Thailand and was securely housed in Wat Phra Kaew in 1779. Interestingly, the Emerald Buddha possesses three distinct ensembles of golden garments, which are ritually changed by the King of Thailand during the transition of seasons.
7. Tian Tan Buddha Statue
The Tian Tan Buddha, also known as the Big Buddha, can be found on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. It was constructed in 1993 using bronze and serves as the central attraction of the Po Lin Monastery.
This magnificent statue symbolizes the unity and balance between humanity, nature, faith, and spirituality. The name “Tian Tan Buddha” is derived from the replica of Tian Tan, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, which forms the base of the statue.
The Buddha sits on a lotus throne atop a three-tiered altar. Standing at a towering height of 34 meters (110 feet), the Tian Tan Buddha exudes an aura of tranquility.
Its right hand is raised, a gesture meant to alleviate suffering, while the left hand rests on the knee, representing joy and contentment.
6. Great Buddha of Kamakura
The Kotoku-in temple, located in the city of Kamakura in Japan, holds great significance in the Buddhist community. It is known for housing a remarkable masterpiece – a colossal bronze statue of the revered Amida Buddha, one of Japan’s most esteemed Buddhist figures.
The statue stands impressively tall at over 13 meters (40 feet) and weighs a staggering 93 tons. It is believed to have been crafted in 1252 by the esteemed Buddhist monk Joko, who also gathered donations to fund its creation.
Originally kept within a modest wooden temple, the Great Buddha now sits exposed to the elements, as the original temple was tragically demolished by a powerful tsunami in the 15th century.
5. Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Wat Pho, located in Bangkok, is renowned for housing the grand Reclining Buddha statue. As one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok, it was constructed nearly two centuries before the city became Thailand’s capital.
What sets Wat Pho apart is not only Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha image but also the largest number of Buddha images found in the country. The magnificent Reclining Buddha statue, plated in gold, stretches an impressive 46 meters long and reaches a height of 15 meters.
This divine sculpture commemorates the Buddha’s entry into Nirvana. Delicately carved with precision, the statue’s eyes and feet are adorned with mother of pearl engravings, depicting the 108 auspicious characteristics of the true Buddha.
4. Monywa Buddhas
Monywa, a city situated in central Myanmar along the beautiful Chindwin River, boasts a magnificent sight known as the Monywa Buddha.
Positioned to the east of the city, the Po Khaung Taung hills offer an awe-inspiring experience as they house the world’s largest reclining Buddha statue. This colossal creation stretches a staggering 90 meters in length, with its head soaring 60 feet into the sky.
Its construction in 1991 resulted in a hollow interior, allowing curious visitors to embark on a unique journey from the Buddha’s head to its feet.
Within this majestic figure reside 9,000 metal images of the Buddha and his disciples, every single one standing at a height of one foot. Each image intricately depicts important events from the Buddha’s extraordinary life.
Additionally, the Po Kaung Hills bear witness to the recent addition of a massive standing Buddha statue, proudly reaching a height of 132 meters (433 feet) and securing its place among the world’s largest Buddha statues.
3. Ayutthaya Buddha Head
The city of Ayutthaya in Thailand is home to a truly remarkable Buddhist statue. Within the ancient ruins of Wat Mahathat, also known as the Temple of the Great Relic, stands a sandstone statue of the Buddha.
Though the body of the statue has been lost over time, its head finds a fitting resting place amidst the tangled roots and vines of a tree.
This iconic figure is surrounded by numerous other statues from the Ayutthaya period, demonstrating their resilience in withstanding the test of time.
2. Hussain Sagar Buddha Statue
One of India’s renowned Buddha statues is located in the city of Hyderabad, placed in the middle of an artificial lake.
Standing tall at an impressive 17 meters (56 feet) and weighing a hefty 320 tons, this figure holds the distinction of being the largest monolithic statue in the entire country. It was intricately sculpted by a collective of skilled artisans using a single piece of stone.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck during the installation of the statue in 1992, when it toppled over and plunged into the lake, leading to the unfortunate loss of the lives of eight workers.
However, the government undertook the challenging task of retrieving and restoring the statue to its original grandeur, ensuring that it stands proudly once again.
1. Gal Viharaya
Polonnaruwa, nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka, boasts a captivating marvel known as the Gal Gal Viharaya, revered worldwide for its awe-inspiring portrayal of Buddha.
Crafted under the patronage of Parakramabahu the Great during the 12th century, this grand rock temple enchants all who visit. At the heart of the temple lies its main attraction – four magnificent Buddha statues meticulously carved into a massive granite boulder.
These colossal stone sculptures include a reclining Buddha, stretching an astounding 14 meters (46 feet) in length, and a towering standing figure reaching majestic heights of 7 meters (23 feet).
