10 Most Beautiful Buddha Statues In The World

By Author: Nitin Jain
Total Articles: 6
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Millions of people across the world practise Buddhism. One of the most common symbols to worship is Lord Buddha's sculpture or image. Although buddha sculptures come in innumerable sizes, shapes and colours, yet some of the most impressive ones are massive in scale.

So, If you're an avid traveller, a follower of Buddhism or just a beauty seeker, read below the rundown of eight most beautiful buddha statues in the world, which will leave you wondering and enthralled.

Wat Pho ( Temple of Reclining Buddha ), Thailand:

Wat Pho is one of the largest ancient temples in Bangkok. It was constructed nearly 200 years ago, even before Bangkok officially became Thailand's capital. People across the world gather here to witness the impressive gold leaf-covered 46 metres long & 15 metres tall sleeping Buddha statue. You will be mesmerised by seeing the statue's feet & eyes engraved with pearl.

Another thing that people catch sight of is 108 bronze bowls. Each bowl represents the unique positive characteristics of lord buddha. People believe that ...
... Donating pennies in these bowls would surely make their wishes come true.

The Big Buddha of Thailand, Thailand:

This Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin statue in southeast Thailand (Wat Muang Monastery) is one of the colossal Buddha statues in the world. Astonishingly, It took 18 years to build this lustrous golden painted statue. With 302 feet height, it is the 9th tallest buddha statue known to humanity.

In this pose, Buddha is depicted on the earth touching mudra with crossed legs, left hand in lap while the other hand is pointing at the ground. It is called a bhumisparsha posture which signifies a state of enlightenment.

Tian Tan Buddha - Lantau Island, Hong Kong:

Tian Tan Buddha, Lantau Island Hong Kong, is the epitome of love and harmony. Created in 1993, Tian Tan Buddha at Lanzhou Island is a large bronze sculpture of Buddha Shakyamuni. This marvellous artifice signifies a sitting Buddha statue, residing on the lotus flower overlooking the Po Lin Monastery. This place is one of the sanctified sites for all Buddhist pilgrims and vacationers. Plan for a visit to experience the holistic pleasure representing the journey of enlightenment and purification.

Leshan Giant Buddha - Sichuan, China:

The Leshan Giant Buddha is an enormously carved standing Buddha statue made from red rock. It stands at a distance of over seventy-five meters above the ground at the Cangai Reservoir in Leshan, China. The statue measures around 71/2 meters in height and almost 150 meters in circumference.

One can see the many images of the Buddha on the wall, which are made of wood and beautifully carved. Today, the Leshan Buddha statue is one of the best-known sights in Leshan and stands to be a popular tourist destination.

Gal Vihara – Polonnaruwa,Sri lanka:

The Gal Vihara, formerly known as the Uparara, is an old rock temple of Buddha located in the town of Polonnaruwa, North Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. Buddhist king of Ayutthaya constructed it in the 11th century.

The granite statue of Buddha, measuring 46 feet long, signifies the reclining posture of the lord. The intricately carved lotus flowers adorn the statue's right hand and feet that symbolises purity. The sleeping buddha statue pose, commonly known as parinirvana, epitomises the post-enlightenment of Lord Buddha. Many tourists flock to this place each year, especially during May to September.

Pakse Golden Buddha — Pakse, Laos:

For the last three decades, the world-famous Golden Buddha statue stands as the epitome of the Buddhist faith and teachings. As you drive along the streets of Pakse, you can find many visitors visiting the city to see the world-famous Buddha statue. You have to trek a few kilometres to witness the sitting buddha statue overlooking the Mekong River.

Laykyun Sekkya, Monywa Myanmar:

The sleeping Buddha statue of Maha Bodhi Tahtaung monastery is one of the famous Buddhist temples in Myanmar. The Buddha image, situated inside of the main building along with another small temple nearby caters to an excellent view to all visitors and admirers. You will also come across with the 423 feet high standing buddha statue, towering the sleeping buddha statue!

Erected during 1991 and 1995, consecutively, both the statues represent the various stages of life. The entire place gives a feeling of peace and serenity.

Ushiku Daibutsu Buddha, Ushiki Japan:

Ushiku Daibutsu Buddha is the first of the Japanese Buddhist shrines, built by an American priest in the 1920s. The word 'Ushikudaibutsu' stands as the original Buddha, standing Buddha statue of 394 feet height atop Mount Koya in front of a beautiful temple.
The statue itself is a full-scale replica of the original Buddha, standing on the ten-meter high base with a beautiful ten-meter long lotus flower at the front and a lotus flower on the back. The unique lotus flower was used in ancient times as a symbol of Buddhism and was sacred to the Buddhist monks. It is the highest and most beautiful Buddha statue in the country of Japan.

Buddha Dordenma Statue, Thimphu Bhutan:

A magnificent 51-meter high bronze Shakyamuni Buddha statue stands proudly in the Himalayas of Bhutan. The hall inside the monastery comprises numerous Buddha images along with finely crafted 'mandalas'. The enormous standing buddha statue showcases 125,000 small-sized Buddhas, which are gilded in gold-embossed leaf inside it. Many tourists flock every year to get a glance of the golden lustre of the bronze Shakyamuni Buddha statue.

The Great Buddha – Kamakura, Japan

In Mahayana text, the Great Buddha of Kamakura Japans' life, describes the term 'great' very minutely. The main character of the story, Khandakaraka Buddha, a representative of a Lord Buddha named Maha Bodhisattva.

The statue of the Great Lord Buddha of Kamakura, weighing around a hundred tons, is also known as Kōtoku-en. It is a Buddhist Temple of the Zen-Shu sect, in the town of Kamakura, in the province of Hokkaido, Japan. Situated on a mountain called Taizanten and well-known as the Mountain of Worship, the mountain symbolises the beginning of Buddhism, as a place where Buddha first taught his teachings. Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, It permits all visitors to explore the forty-three feet high hollow statue of Lord Buddha.

Final point

Now that you are well aware of the eight beautiful, yet intricately designed Buddha effigies, along with some of their religious significance, bring home a buddha statue and meditate readily. It is an add-on to the power of positive energy flowing inside your living habitat, and catering to peace, tranquillity and love.