Spring Temple Buddha

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Spring Temple Buddha

The Spring Temple Buddha (Chinese: 中原大佛 and simplified Chinese: 鲁山大佛; traditional Chinese: 魯山大佛) is a statue depicting Vairocana Buddha located in the Zhaocun township of Lushan County, Henan, China. It is placed within the Fodushan Scenic Area, close to National Freeway no. 311. The statue was completed in 2002.

At 128 m (420 ft), which includes a 20 m (66 ft) lotus throne, it is the tallest statue in the world.[1] When the 25 m (82 ft) pedestal/building it is placed upon is taken into account, the monument has a total height of 153 m (502 ft). As of October 2008, the hill on which the statue stands is being reshaped to form two further pedestals, the upper one being 15 m tall. The total height of the monument is now said to be 208 m.[2]

The project as a whole was estimated to cost around $55m, $18m of which being spent on the statue. It was originally estimated to consist of 1,100 pieces of copper cast, with a total weight of 1,000 tonnes.[3] Plans of the construction of the Spring Temple Buddha were announced soon after the blowing up of the Bamiyan Buddhas by the Taliban in Afghanistan. China has condemned the systematic destruction of the Buddhist heritage of Afghanistan.

The Spring Temple Buddha derives its name from the nearby Tianrui hot spring, which spews water at 60°C and is renowned in the area for its curative properties. The Foquan Temple, built during the Tang dynasty, houses the "Bell of Good Luck", placed on top of Dragon Head peak. This bronze bell weighs 116 tons.[4]

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Spring Temple Buddha
中原大佛
Spring Temple Buddha
Location    Fodushan Scenic Area, Lushan County, Henan, China
Type    Statue
Height    208 metres
Completion date    2002

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Long shot 

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Hand 

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Foot 

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Foot 

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Height comparison of notable statues:

Spring Temple Buddha 153 m Statue of Liberty 93 m The Motherland Calls 91 m Christ the Redeemer 39.6 m