The Tallest Lady Avalokiteshvara statue in Indo-China
Adele Tomlin describes the Tallest Lady Avalokiteshvara statue in Indo-China.
Perched majestically on a hilltop overlooking the sea, the Lady Buddha, also known as Tuong Phat Ba Quan Am in Vietnamese, stands tall at 67 meters, radiating an aura of compassion and protection.
Her presence is more than just a statue; she embodies the essence of mercy, believed to perceive, hear, and empathize with the cries of humanity.
With a graceful posture, she holds a water vase containing the nectar of life in her right hand, while a willow branch in her left is used to sprinkle blessings on prayers.
Local fishermen revere her as their patron saint, seeking her guidance and protection before setting sail into the unpredictable waters. It’s believed that her benevolent gaze wards off misfortune and calamities, with locals attributing the absence of typhoons to her divine presence. Standing on a blooming lotus, she faces the city, offering solace and protection to its inhabitants.
Adele underscores that Lady Buddha is not merely a statue but also a temple, comprising 17 floors, each adorned with twenty-seven Buddha statues for worship.
At the pinnacle rests a 2-meter Great Buddha statue, aptly named “Buddha in Buddha” by locals.
On the first and fifteenth days of every lunar month, devotees flock to the temple to offer prayers and aspirations, seeking blessings and guidance from the compassionate deity.
In Chinese and Southeast Asian cultures, the concept of compassion is often personified in the form of Avalokiteshvara, also known as Guanyin.
Depicted as both male and female, Avalokiteshvara manifests on Earth to aid those in need, assuming various forms to offer solace and assistance.
The mural in Mogao Cave 45 at Dunhuang illustrates Chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra, depicting Avalokiteshvara’s compassionate presence among humanity.
Together with two other temples in Ba Na Hills and Marble Mountains, the Lady Buddha forms a sacred triangle believed to shield the locals from negativity and disaster.
This holy trinity stands as a beacon of hope and faith, inspiring reverence and devotion among all who seek solace and protection in the embrace of compassion.
