The Donglin Grand Buddha (东林大佛) is located at the foot of Mount Lushan in Wenquan Town, Lushan City, Jiangxi Province, China. It is a landmark of the Pure Land Buddhism’s origin (Donglin Temple) and is the tallest Amitabha Buddha statue in China and the world. The Buddha statue stands 48 meters tall, representing the 48 great vows made by Amitabha Buddha. The total height, including the pedestal, reaches 81 meters, symbolizing the 81 difficulties in attaining Buddhahood. At each corner of the Sumeru pedestal is a Bodhisattva:
- Southeast corner: Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin)
- Southwest corner: Mahasthamaprapta (Dashizhi)
- Northwest corner: Samantabhadra (Puxian)
- Northeast corner: Manjushri (Wenshu)
These Bodhisattvas, along with the pedestal and the Buddha statue, are covered with real gold and lacquer.
The design of the Donglin Grand Buddha incorporates the best features of the Luoyang Longmen Grottoes’ Lushena Buddha, Dunhuang Buddha, Kamakura Buddha in Japan, and ancient Indian and Tang Dynasty Buddha statues, striving to achieve the highest combination of religious spirit and sculptural art. The Buddha’s image is in the welcoming posture, with a majestic body representing Amitabha’s vast and compassionate heart, and a compassionate expression symbolizing his endless love for all beings.
Amitabha Buddha is the king of Buddhas, the most revered in the Light, and the master of the Western Pure Land. He is the primary deity for followers of Pure Land Buddhism, which has the most adherents in the Buddhist community. This path is considered the easiest to practice and the most effective, ultimately leading all Mahayana sects to their final destination. According to predictions in Buddhist scriptures such as the “Sutra of the End of Dharma” and the “Infinite Life Sutra,” after the end of the Dharma period, the teachings of various sects will disappear, leaving only the Amitabha’s teachings for a hundred years to save sentient beings. The construction of the Donglin Grand Buddha, aimed at saving countless beings during the end of the Dharma period, is a monumental project in Buddhism, providing it with immortal significance and vibrant life.
