Written by: Mahnoor Fatima
Posted on: May 18, 2021 | 
| 中文
Grand Buddha Statue at Mount Lingshan
China is home to the largest population of Buddhists, with about 244 million followers who comprise about 18% of the country’s population. The history and spread of Buddhism in China is centuries old, and many sites still serve as reminders of China’s multicultural history and still-existing spiritual practices. In particular, the Buddhist park of the little Mt. Lingshan is a beautiful display of Buddhist and Chinese history and design. The complex is located at the foot of the little Lingshan Mountain in Wuxi of the Jiangsu province of eastern China.
Mt. Lingshan has long been a hub of Buddhist history ever since the monk Xuanzang briefly settled in the area after his return from India. The area was originally home to the ancient Xiangxiang Temple of the Tang and Song Dynasties and other attractions slowly arose around them, creating a space of art, architecture and worship. Notable areas include the Altar of Buddha’s Footsteps, Buddha’s Hand Square and Five Mudra Mandala among others. The park complex has been carefully designed based on traditional Chinese aesthetics which interchange between construction and nature.
Brahma Palace and the Statue
But perhaps its most famous monument has been the Grand Buddha Statue located north of Lake Tai. This 88-metre tall, bronze Buddha statue stands on a 9-metre lotus as it watches over the mountain area. It was built in 1996 by the former chairman of the Buddhist Association of China as a way to celebrate the spread of Buddhism in China.
Brahma Palace itself is a recent construction, made to commemorate the journey and history of Buddhism in China. This gargantuan construction is an extraordinary feat of stonework, metalwork, art and design. It has been dubbed as ‘the Louvre of the Orient’ by the international architectural community. Work began in 2005, and the palace has been open to the public since 2008, costing about 2.6 billion Yuan (or $380 million) at the time.
Brahma Palace
The building itself is a dazzling display of stonework that is inspired by traditional Buddhist designs of grottos, gold rooftops and religious relief work. However, upon closer inspection, one can see traditional Chinese motifs of lacquer, carvings and traditional art that has been brought from major Buddhist hubs like Dunhuang and Yangzhou. The designers also incorporated traditional Chinese designs into the architecture like the zodiac and Tang-era paintings. Additionally, one can also find western artwork within the details, which to most, symbolize the extension of Buddhism into Asia and China’s constant artistic dialogue with the West.
Details on an Elephant Statue in Aisle Hall
Inside, the complex is spacious, clean and vibrant and creates a powerful ambiance of meditation and mindfulness using art installations. Tourists need to deposit their shoes at the entrance of the complex, and the palace has an audio track for those interested in knowing more about its construction and design. The main highlights of the palace are Aisle Hall, Tower Hall and Altar Hall.
Immediately, the color and gorgeous artwork surround visitors, and many have hurt their necks from staring at the dazzling gold ceilings and statues in awe. Glazed lotuses of opal and jade are found in the details, which are meant to bring about virtue and prosperity. The focal point of the palace is the statue of Sitting Buddha, made with 10kgs of pure gold behind a dazzling wall of traditional Chinese glasswork (Liuli).
Buddha's Statue Inside the Palace
Meanwhile, the Altar Hall itself is a large theatre that also serves as a lecture hall and a performance stage. Every day, performers put on the ‘Ode of Auspiciousness’ play that traces Prince Siddhartha Gautama’s (Sakyamuni in Chinese) journey from an elite royal, to a monk who sought higher enlightenment and eventually went on to become Buddha.
Those who visit Lingshan often note that while the complex is always crowded, there is a sense of peace and tranquility. It is not just the palace but the entire park complex that brings together traditional Chinese aesthetics with Buddhist imagery to create an immersive experience for worshippers and tourists alike. The remarkable artwork, and the creation of an atmosphere that is conducive to spiritual contemplation makes this place worth a visit.
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