Tallest Buddha statue coming up in SarnathANI, Nov 29, 2006 Its height will be second only to the Bamiyan Buddhas
SARNATH, Uttar Pradesh (India) -- A number ofsculptors in Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh are busy chiselling an eightyfeet tall statue of the Buddha, which will be the world's tallestBuddha statue after the ones demolished in Afganistan's Bamiyan valleyunder the Taliban regime. << The Great Stupa at Sarnath will soon get a companion in the shape of the tallest standing Buddha in the world The tallest Buddha statue is part of an old project, which startedten years ago but had to be put on hold in the wake of financialproblems. The work was resumed three years ago with the assistanceafter the Government of Thailand extended its help for the project. Itwill take three more years to complete the statue. ``We are making a statue of Lord Buddha with the help of Thailandgovernment. It will be the tallest statue of Buddha in a standingposition and it comes second in height only to the Bamiyan Buddhas[statues]. It has been more than 10 years since we began work, and nowwe are also creating awareness about its construction,'' said MohanLal, designer of the statue. ``At least 20- 25 artisans are working on this statue for over threeyears.... it will take three to four more years to complete. Right now,we are through with the stomach, feet and the face. Two or three monthswill be taken for the finishing work,'' said Jyoti Singh Khushwaha, thecontactor undertaking the construction of the statue. Workers at the site said the statue would use over 635 blocks ofsandstone and would be made in the Gandharva style, which laid greatsignificance to it. The Buddha attained enlightenment at the age of 35in Bodh Gaya in Bihar and finally departed from the world at the age of80 in Kushinagar. Situated 10 kilometres away from Varanasi, Sarnath is the placewhere the Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon in 500B.C. The place has a number of stupas (hemispherical domes) andmonasteries. In the early days of Buddhism, stupas were built to honourimportant events including Buddha's enlightenment. "May I become at all times, both now and forever; a protector for those without protection; a guide for those who have lost their way; a ship for those with oceans to cross; a bridge for those with rivers to cross; a sanctuary for those in danger; a lamp for those without light; a place of refuge for those who lack of shelter; and a servant to all in need"-- H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso -- Bodhicharyavatara [Tib. Jang-chub Sem-pa'i Cod-pa Nyid Jug-pa Zhug-so; Chapter III, Verse 18-19]
