Leshan
There's nothing like a Snickers Bar and coffee breakfast on a cold and windy
morning. Being bitterly cold outside we stayed tucked in until reasonably late.
Eventually, I ventured out and was delighted to come upon a small corner shop,
where through a cloud of feathers, I could barely make out the busy owner
sewing and stuffing down coats. I invested in a half-length coat, to keep the
worst of the cold at bay. Where I was going to store my purchase was a mystery.
I donned my new purchase and we set off to the sightseeing ferry to the Grand
Buddha. Even though pricey and touristy (Ernest and I were in the company of
many frozen Chinese tourists), the trip remained worthwhile and the only way to
see the total statue at once. Carved out of the riverside cliff in AD 713 it took 90
years to complete. The carving was impressive at 71 metres high, with 7-metre
ears and big toes of 8.5 metres long. History tells the Buddhist monk Hai Tong
was concerned about the many fishermen killed by the Min and Dadu Rivers'
confluences’ turbulent waters. Hai Tong decided to carve a Buddha statue beside
the river and believed this sculpture would appease the river gods and keep the
locals safe. He begged for over 20 years to accumulate enough money to build
the statue and refused all official help. He believed the parties who offered
support wanted to gain personal profits from the project. He gouged out one of
his eyeballs in protest against the local authorities, so adamant was he in his
refusal. Gosh, what a thing to do! Fortunately, Hai Tong's disciples continued his
work after he passed away and finally completed the sculpture in 803 AD
following 90 years of hard work. Interestingly enough, the many stones that fell
into the river during construction calmed the waters. No drownings have been
reported since.