Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (3)

Leshan Giant Buddha, Haishi Cave, Lingyun Mountain, Leshan, Sichuan In the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, after visiting Pilu Courtyard, you can climb to the top of Lingyun Mountain and overlook the magnificent view of the three rivers. Finally, you will arrive at the Giant Buddha. The Leshan Giant Buddha is carved into the mountain, sitting precariously by the river, and is magnificent. The Leshan Giant Buddha is 14.7 meters high and 10 meters wide, with 1,051 eye-catching hair buns on its head, each carved vividly. The Buddha's ears are 7 meters long, and its eyes look straight ahead, appearing solemn and kind. Its body is well-proportioned, with its hands resting on its knees, like a kind elder silently guarding the land. The Leshan Giant Buddha's head is as high as the mountain, its feet step on the river, its hands rest on its knees, and it sits precariously by the river. On the top of the Buddha's head, there are many Buddha hair buns, which are not only unique in shape but also a cleverly designed and hidden drainage system. The Buddha's posture of sitting upright with its hands resting on its knees is solemn, and the drainage facilities are hidden, which is ingenious. The history of the Leshan Giant Buddha can be traced back to the first year of the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty (713 AD). It took 90 years to complete in the 19th year of the Zhenyuan period (803 AD). According to legend, during the Tang Dynasty, a monk named Haitong wanted to carve a giant Buddha to calm the turbulent waters at the confluence of the three rivers and protect the safety of passing ships and people. He traveled around to raise funds and personally supervised the progress of the project. During this process, Haitong's firm belief and selfless dedication moved countless people. When faced with extortion from the governor, he resolutely gouged out his own eyes to show his determination and ultimately protected the funds for building the Buddha. This feat not only demonstrated Haitong's noble character but also laid a solid foundation for the construction of the Leshan Giant Buddha. Behind the head of the Leshan Giant Buddha, on the top of Lingyun Mountain, the Haishi Cave on the cliff is awe-inspiring. According to legend, this is where the first-generation host of the Giant Buddha, the Tang Dynasty monk Haitong, lived. The Haishi Cave is about 10 meters deep, and the words "Haishi Cave" are engraved on the cave's forehead, written by Gu Guangxu, the governor of Sichuan during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. Opposite the Haishi Cave is the Fuyu Pavilion.