Leshan Buddha

The Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan Province, China was begun in 713, during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and completed in the 19th year of Emperor Dezong (803 AD). At 71 meters (220 feet), it is the largest stone sculpture of Buddha in the world. It sits at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers. The statue is in the UNESCO inventory, listed in 1996 as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. It is currently being refurbished and the Chinese government has taken steps to minimize the environmental impact on the statue. The World Bank has offered US$8 million in interest-free loans for the maintenance and protection of the Buddha. The Buddha was originally covered by a wooden structure, but has been exposed to the weather since the building was destroyed in a 14th Century war. The statue is of Maitreyanot, a disciple of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism.