The Largest Buddha Shakyamuni in Russia | 俄罗斯最大的释迦牟尼佛画像
This is the largest image of Buddha Shakyamuni that can be found in Russia. It is located in Buryatia, one of the Buddhist republics of the Russian Federation. The 33-metre (108 feet) tall holy image is carved on Bayan-Khongor rock near the village of Bayan Gol in Khorinsky District, one of the administrative and municipal districts in Buryatia.
On September 10, 2016, Venerable Yelo Rinpoche performed a consecration ritual to bless the Buddha Shakyamuni image. About 4,000 pilgrims from different parts of Buryatia and other cities of Russia attended the historical event. During the ritual, they made a symbolic one million flowers offering to the image, together with an abundance of food and candle offerings.
Venerable Yelo Rinpoche performing the consecration ritual
The sacred image is specifically designed to be 33 metres (108 feet) tall because the number 33 is considered sacred in Buddhism, it is related to Trayastrimsa heaven which is the celestial dimension of 33 gods. Lord Shakyamuni ascended into this particular heaven to give teachings and this is also the realm where Buddha’s mother Queen Maya took rebirth in after she passed away.
The image of the universal teacher Lord Buddha Shakyamuni was carved onto the rock with minimal impact on the natural surroundings. Only the top layer of the rock was removed to create the contours of the Buddha who is depicted wearing traditional monastic robes and legs in full meditation lotus posture. His right hand is in the bhumiparsha mudra (earth-witness mudra) and the left hand depicts the dhyana mudra (gesture of meditation) holding an alms bowl.
The Bayan-Khongor rock has been a sacred place for the local people for many centuries. Over the years, many Munkhan (small houses which are small shrines that contain Buddha images, prayer wheels, or thangkas) were established at the holy site. The inhabitants of Bayan Gol will gather at the sacred location to worship the shrines twice a year, once in summer and on the second day of Sagaalgan (“White Month” in Buryat language) which is the Buryat New Year. Buryat New Year is normally celebrated in February according to the lunar calendar.
A Munkhan near Bayan-Khongor rock
The idea of creating the image of Buddha Shakyamuni on Bayan-Khongor rock actually came from the residents of Khorinsky district. According to a close student of Venerable Yelo Rinpoche, they have the same idea of creating a big image of Buddha Shakyamuni on rocks when they visited the “Heart of Baikal”, Olkon Island for the first time in the year 2000. They were cruising along the Irkutsk coast on a boat when they saw the majestic sight of rocks coming out of the water and stretching to the sky. They began to look for suitable places to create the image and finally found it when they were installing a small Buddha Shakyamuni statue on a rock near Bayan-Khongor rock. However, Venerable Yelo Rinpoche told the disciple that it was still not a suitable time for it yet. One year later, the residents of Khorinsky district came up with the proposal and requested Yelo Rinpoche to help. After considering the proposal for some time, Yelo Rinpoche accepted it, hence the project started.
Olkon Island
The location of the image is special because it is facing Moscow and other large cities in Russia. Tenzin Lama who is the attendant of Yelo Rinpoche explained that traditionally, Buddhist shrines such as temples, stupas and statues are built facing south. However, it is different in this case where the gaze of Buddha Shakyamuni was directed towards the cities because it is a difficult time and it is necessary for the benefit of the whole country and all living beings. The creation of a Buddha’s image or temple is very beneficial, their presence brings harmony, all sorts of disasters cease, people’s relations will improve, and there will be less sickness and deaths from accidents.
How to Get There
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The Buddha Shakyamuni image is located 130 kilometres (81 miles) away from Ulan-Ude, the capital city of Buryatia, Russia. One can travel on highway P346 from Ulan-Ude by car to the location easily.
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More Images
Buddha Shakyamuni Image and Surrounding Scenery
Picture of Buddha Shakyamuni image taken in 2018
The road leading to the large Buddha Shakyamuni image
The road leading to the large Buddha Shakyamuni image
Beautiful scenery around large Buddha Shakyamuni image
View from behind the large Buddha Shakyamuni image
Small Buddha Shakyamuni statue installed on another rock near the large Buddha Shakyamuni image
Small Buddha Shakyamuni installed on another rock near the large Buddha Shakyamuni image
Images of Consecration Day in 2016
The Largest Buddha Shakyamuni Image in Russia
俄罗斯最大的释迦牟尼画像位于俄罗斯联邦的佛教共和国之一布里亚特。这高达33米（108尺）的佛画被雕刻在布里亚特的其中一个行政区霍林斯克地区巴彦郭勒村附近的巴彦孔葛岩石上。
2016年9月10日，尊敬的耶罗仁波切为这幅释迦牟尼佛石刻画像进行了开光仪式，大约有四千名来自布里亚特和俄罗斯其他城市的信徒参与了这项历史性的盛事。信徒们在仪式中为这幅佛画献上了象征性的百万鲜花供和许多食物及灯光供养。
尊敬的耶鲁仁波切进行开光仪式
这幅神圣的石刻佛画被设计成身高33米（108尺）别具一番意义。33在佛教中代表忉利天。释迦牟尼佛曾经来到这里说法，据说他的母亲摩耶夫人往生后就投身此处。
在雕刻这释迦牟尼佛画像时，工匠们以尽量保护周边的自然结构为前提，因此只能在岩石的最上层雕琢释迦牟尼佛的轮廓。释迦牟尼佛像身穿传统僧袍，结跏趺坐，右手结降魔印（触地印），左手结禅定印持着钵盂。
巴彦孔葛岩石自好几个世纪以前就已经是当地人的圣地。许多年以来，人们在这个圣地建造了不少安置佛像、转经轮还有唐卡的小房子。巴彦郭勒当地居民在每年的夏季和布里亚特春节的第二天都会到此处进行供养和朝拜。
巴彦孔葛岩石附近的小佛龛
在巴彦孔葛岩石上刻画释迦牟尼佛像的想法其实来自霍林斯克当地人。但是据耶罗仁波切亲近的弟子说大约在2000年当他们在参观了贝加尔湖的奥尔洪岛之时，因为看到了岩石竖立在湖中的美丽姿态也有了在岩石上刻画佛像的想法。自此，弟子们都在物色适当的地点。一天，当他们在巴彦孔葛岩石安置一尊释迦牟尼佛像时，他们发现了一块非常合适的大岩石，但是耶罗仁波切说时机尚未成熟。一年后，当地人向仁波切提出在岩石上刻画佛像的方案并请求仁波切协助。几经考虑后，仁波切应邀与当地人一起实现这个想法。
奥尔洪岛
这个岩石壁画和一般传统的佛不太一样。一般上佛庙、佛塔和佛像的位置都朝南，这个岩石壁画却面朝莫斯科等大城市。其主要原因为当时布里亚特共和国处于困难时期，大家希望佛像能加持国家及众生。造佛或佛庙可以带来很多好处，其中包括和谐气氛。此外，它们能抑制各种灾害、改善人际关系、减少疾病和意外死亡案例
如何抵达
从布里亚特共和国的首都乌兰乌德抵达释迦牟尼佛岩石壁画之处大约有130公里（81里）的距离。从乌兰乌德开车行驶上P346高速道，只要跟着一路上的指示牌就能轻易的抵达目的地。
更多照片
释迦牟尼岩石壁画和周边的风景
释迦牟尼岩石壁画像，摄于2018年
抵达释迦牟尼岩石壁画前的沿途风景
抵达释迦牟尼岩石壁画前的沿途风景
释迦牟尼岩石壁画周边的风景
释迦牟尼岩石壁画周边的风景
一尊安放在释迦牟尼岩石壁画附近的释迦牟尼佛像
一尊安放在释迦牟尼岩石壁画附近的释迦牟尼佛像
2016年开光仪式当天的照片
俄罗斯最大的释迦牟尼佛画像
Sources:
- “Ритуал освящения самого большого Будды завершился небесным знамением. ФОТО”, 12 September 2016, http://asiarussia.ru/news/13550/ (accessed: 27 May 2019)
- НЕПУТЕВЫЕ ЗАМЕТКИ НЕПУТЕВОГО ПУТЕШЕСТВЕННИКА, “Поездка к Лику Будды Шакьямуни на горе Баян-Хонгор Хоринского района Бурятии” (A trip to the Face of the Buddha Shakyamuni on the Bayan-Khongor mountain, Khorinsky district of Buryatia), 1 October 2017, http://igormor.blogspot.com/2017/10/blog-post.html (accessed: 27 May 2019)
- “33-метровый Лик Будды Шакьямуни”, 10 July 2018, https://mywildsiberia.ru/2018/07/10/33-metrovy-j-lik-buddy-shak-yamuni/ (accessed: 27 May 2019)
- Republic of Buryatia 布里亚特共和国, https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B8%83%E9%87%8C%E4%BA%9A%E7%89%B9%E4%BA%BA (accessed: 27 May 2019)
- “布里亚特共和国”, https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%B8%83%E9%87%8C%E4%BA%9A%E7%89%B9%E5%85%B1%E5%92%8C%E5%9B%BD/3050294 (accessed: 27 May 2019)
For more interesting information:
- Wonderful Russia
- Russian leadership supports Buddhism
- The Russian Princess Buddhist Nun
- Buddhist monks far off in the Russian mountains
- Lubsan Samdan Tsydenov: The Dharma King of Buryatia
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That’s amazing …The largest image of Shakyamuni Buddha in Russia can be seen in Buryatiam, one of the Buddhist republics of the Russian Federation. Bayan-Khongor Rock has been considered a sacred place by the Khorinsky Buryats since time immemorial. The image of Shakyamuni Buddha was executed with minimal impact on the natural environment. The idea having the Buddha image came from the local residents, they requested the senior Tibetan teacher Venerable Yelo Rinpoche. Having a huge image of the Buddha is considered a very beneficial for the area places where they appear, everything becomes harmonious. After completion Yelo Rinpoche and other lamas conducted a ritual of consecration of the unique image. Thousands of pilgrims from different parts of Buryatia, and from other places attended this historical event. Looking at those beautiful pictures tells us all. Flowers, white food items, sweets, fruits, and candles been offered to the image of the Buddha. The richer and more beautiful the offerings, the more merit is been accumulated, the virtue of this act is incomparable.
Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful sharing.
Amazing a huge image of Shakyamuni Buddha on the Bayan-Khongor mountain near the village of Bayangol, Russia is created. Very unique creation indeed. It was considered the largest Buddha image in Russia and in the list of the largest Buddha images in the world. The locals has long been considered the Bayan-Khongor rock as a sacred place in the Khorinsky Buryats. The image of Buddha Shakyamuni was made with minimal impact on nature. What the creators were amazing ,they did not carve a full-fledged statue. Only the top layer of the rock was removed, the Buddha image were drawn and painted with paint. When an image of Buddha of this gigantic size is created, it is also a tremendous, incomparable virtue and great blessing for all whom merely seeing it.
On the consecration day of this huge Buddha image, Venerable Yelo Rinpoche performed the consecration ritual. Thousands of pilgrims from different parts of Buryatia and other cities of Russia attended the historical event. Looking at the pictures tells all. Accordingly, the larger, richer and more beautiful the offerings, the more they accumulate good merit. Lots of flowers , fruits , foods , cakes and so forth been offered .
Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful sharing. Even I have not been there, looking at this huge image is a blessing .
This Buddha image that carved on the huge rock is really WOW.. It is such a sacred activities being carried out because countless people will be blessed by the Buddha the moment they lay their eyes to the image.
33 meters beside the celestial dimension of 33 gods, converting to 108 feets is also a sacred numbers in Buddhism that’s why when we recite the Buddha mantras, we usually recite 108 times. This is such a well thought out and planning to the completion of this art piece.
Wow ….stunning image of Buddha Shakyamuni carved on Bayan-Khongor rock near the village of Bayan Gol in Khorinsky District Russia . Bayan-Khongor Rock has been considered a sacred place by the Khorinsky Buryats. Seem to be the largest image of Buddha Shakyamuni found in Russia. Craving an Holy image that big is not easy after all and can be visible from a distance. The image of Shakyamuni Buddha was executed with minimal impact on the natural environment. After the completion of the image, the region became a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims. Looking at those images in the blog tells a thousand words. It truly amazing , wish I could see it one day.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
It is nice to see people in Russia are receptive to painting Buddha images outdoor on the rock. The project team was also very considerate not to destroy the natural environment in the area. This shows they are very respectful to the surrounding and all sentient beings.
It is a very meritorious deed to construct a Buddha image. When a Buddha image is constructed, it can calm the environment and help to reduce the calamity. It can also bring harmony to the area.
Many places around the world that suffer from natural disasters especially area close to the sea, people often will construct big Buddha statues to keep the environment calm such as the Lantau Island Big Buddha in Hong Kong, Guan Yin statue by the coastal area in China and Macau.
Truly amazing to see the people of Khorinsky district in Russia create a big Buddha Shakyamuni image on Bayan-Khongor rock facing Moscow and major cities of Russia. Such an amazing artwork on a beautiful, serene and quiet environment! The people, animals and beings are blessed to get to see this beautiful image and have dharma seeds planted upon sight. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this amazing image of Buddha Shakyamuni in Russia. ??????
Such a magnificent artwork on a beautiful, serene and quiet environment! The people, animals and beings are blessed to get to see this beautiful image and have dharma seeds planted upon sight. Thank you, Rinpoche for sharing this.
Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this amazing image of Buddha Shakyamuni in Russia. It is amazing that they are able to create such a holy image on the rock while not destroying or disrupting the environment around it. They specifically created the image to face the large cities in Russia.
Buddha images are known to be highly sacred and brings blessings into the area. They said the time is bad and the blessings of the Buddha is needed, hence the people there requested Yelo Rinpoche to build a large Buddha in that area.
Large Buddha images are usually build in places where the land has a lot of calamities and accidents to calm the land. Rejoice to see such a blessed image to arise in Russia to benefit many sentient beings.
Truly amazing to see the people of Khorinsky district in Russia create a big Buddha Shakyamuni image on Bayan-Khongor rock facing Moscow and major cities of Russia. The benefit of enacting huge Buddha images are vast, as the presence brings harmony, reduce obstacles such as disasters, sickness and deaths from accidents.
This article highlight two interesting points; i.e.
1) The Buddha Shakyamuni image is 33 metre in height – 33 is an auspicious number in Buddhism because it is related to Trayastrimsa heaven, the celestial dimension of 33 gods, where Queen Maya (Buddha Shakyamuni’s mother) took rebirth in after her passing. Buddha Shakyamuni had ascended to this particular heaven to give teachings.
2) Traditionally, Buddhist shrines, holy images, stupa and temples but not the Buddha Shakyamuni image on Bayan-Khongor rock. It is different in this case as the gaze of Buddha Shakyamuni was directed towards Moscow and other cities to ensure the blessings benefit the whole country and all living beings in Russia.
Thank you for the sharing of this article.
真诚随喜俄罗斯竟然有那么大的一幅释迦牟尼佛壁画。试想每天有多少森林动物和飞禽将在佛像身边走过或飞过，不知不觉接受佛陀的加持，也在心中种下佛法的种子。每一尊大佛的建成，都是众生的福祉。
Wonderful 33m Shakyamuni Buddha image. Consencrated and blessed. May any animal or person who sees it have imprints placed in their mindstream and receieve blessings from Shakyamuni Buddha.
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Is amazing and beautiful.
33m=108ft
It benefit lots sentient beings.