Giant Buddha at Leshan
Carved out of the waterfront cliff of Mount Lingyun, the Giant Buddha at Leshan has been sitting sedately by the Minjing River for more than a thousand years. It is the world's largest cliffside carving, known as "Mountain Buddha" or "Buddha Mountain." It is a statue of Maitreya sitting, face to the west, in the recesses of Lingyun Mountain. It is 71 m tall—its head being 14.7 m high and 10 m wide; shoulders 24 m across; ears sever m long with ear holes that allow two persons to stand in each one; and feet each 8.5 m wide and capable of sitting 100 people. Though colossal, the carving has lineal elegance and is detailed and well proportioned, reflecting the magnificent artistic style of the heyday of the Tang Dynasty.
On the chest of the Giant Buddha there is a sealed cave. The stone that blocks the entrance of the cave is a damaged stele inscribed with a contemporary account about the reconstruction of the Tianning Pavilion during the Song Dynasty. Inside the cave are waste iron materials, lead sheets, and bricks. It is said that a wooden pavilion shelter was built over the statue when it was completed during the Tang Dynasty. Today the pillar foundations and holes can still be seen on the shoulders, legs, arms, chest, and feet of the Giant Buddha, indicating that a building once existed there.
The Lingyun Temple behind the right side of the Buddha's head was built during the Tang Dynasty. Popularly known as the Giant Buddha Temple, it is composed of Lokapala and Mahavira halls and a Scripture Tower.
