World’s largest Maitreya Buddha statue inaugurated in Vietnam
VOV.VN - A statue of Maitreya Buddha weighing 5,112 metric tonnes, the largest of its kind in the world, has been officially placed on top of Ba Den Mountain, a famous travel destination in the south-western province of Tay Ninh.
More than 500 monks and nuns from the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, along with thousands of Buddhist followers and tourists, attended the ceremony held on January 28.
Over 20,000 lanterns were lit on top of the mountain as part of celebrations for the debut of the Buddha statue.
Addressing the ceremony, Most Venerable Elder Vien Minh, deputy supreme patriarch of the Patronage Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, expressed hope that the Maitreya Buddha, that represents the prosperity and well-being of people, would bring good luck for Vietnam in future.
Situated at over 900 metres above sea level on the peak of Ba Den Mountain, the statue has a height of 36 metres and width of 45m. Most notably, it is assembled using 6,688 natural sandstone pieces inspired by terraced fields.
The statue highlights a merciful smile and a big stomach, both of which are the typical characteristic of Maitreya Buddha.
