Amazing huge Amitabha Buddha on the “roof of Vietnam”
The great statue of Amitabha Buddha gazes affectionately down at the world from the top of Mount Fansipan, the infamous “Roof of Indochina”, at an astonishing height of 3,143 m (10,311.7 ft) above sea level. This spectacular statue is one of the main attractions of Sun World Fansipan Legend, the spiritual and cultural complex on Fansipan Peak in Sapa Town of Southern Lao Cai province.
Sun World Fansipan Legend, built amongst the sea of cloud at the end of 2015, features numerous impressive architectural wonders and stunning bronze statues gracing its compound. This is the first ever spiritual place built on such a grandiose scale and especially at this high altitude. Every detail of the complex was specially planned and designed to maximise the stunning natural surrounding scenery by minimising the building structure interferences. Even the colour of the large Amitabha Buddha statue was carefully selected to integrate harmoniously with its surroundings.
Bird’s-eye view of the whole complex
The great Amitabha Buddha statue which is cast in bronze stands at 21.5 m (70.5 ft) tall. The method used to create this Buddha statue was a pioneer in Vietnam. The statue is covered entirely with thousands of 5mm thick copper moulded sheets and used steel frames to prevent deformation in such adverse weather conditions. The embellishment method inherited from the Trần dynasty was used to decorate the magnificent Buddha statue. It is the tallest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam at this current time.
Amitabha Buddha can benefit beings on many levels, especially by transforming desire energy into that of enlightenment. The highest level of one who practices Amitabha will gain enlightenment during the time of Shakyamuni. The lower scope practitioner will be able to take rebirth in places where Amitabha or Avalokiteshvara’s practice is prevalent, to continue their spiritual journey. The medium scope will have the good fortune to take rebirth from a lotus in Sukhavati paradise in the presence of Amitabha and receive prophecy of their impending enlightenment from Amitabha himself.
The great Buddha Amitabha statue
Amitabha practice is very strong especially in Tibet, China and generally Asia. In China, there are many schools of Amitabha practice which is highly revered as it is known to be efficacious. Chinese Buddhists when meeting or parting with another person, will salute each other by saying ‘Namo Omitofuh’, which means ‘Praise to Amitabha’. This is to constantly recognise the inherent nature of Amitabha in all beings they encounter. Buddha mentioned clearly all of us have the seed of enlightenment within and we just need to recognise this. Reciting the sutra and mantra of Amitabha diligently with great faith and with the combination of certain layman’s vows will create the causes of taking rebirth in what is known as the ‘Western Paradise’ of Amitabha. Practitioners of this path are said to have no fear at the time of death.
In the heart of the great Amitabha Buddha statue, sacred relics of the Buddha resides in this beautiful 7-storey crystal glass tower.
Within the heart of the great Amitabha Buddha statue, there are Buddha’s relics stored in a small bronze tower which was then enshrined in a 7-storey crystal glass tower. The relics embody the spiritual qualities, compassion, and wisdom of the Buddha. Buddhists believe that by making offerings and prayers to Buddha’s sacred relics, they will be blessed and protected. At the same time, this allows the fruition of beneficial karmic imprints from previous lives, especially those relating to the Buddhas and holy beings. Hence, the trip made to see the relics in the great Amitabha Buddha statue is much more sacred and significant.
The visitors will then enter into the Arhat Path when they leave the great Buddha Amitabha statue area. Ancient Rhododendron trees that are nearly 400 years old lined alongside the path. At the end of the path, there are 18 Arhat statues made from bronze at about 2 to 2.5 m (6.5 to 8 ft) in height and weigh 500 kg (1,102.3 lbs) to 600kg (1,322.7 lbs).
Arhat path where the 18 bronze Arhat statues are located
An 11-storey Vietnamese pagoda
The path will lead visitors to Kim Son Bao Thang Tu which is an ancient and sacred temple. This temple was built in the architectural style of the Trần dynasty. It has an 11-storey Vietnamese pagoda and a 12 m (39 ft) bronze Kuan Yin statue. This is a spiritual destination for tourist and Buddhist around the world to come.
Visiting Fansipan Amitabha Buddha
Click to enlarge
The best way to reach the peak of Fansipan will be riding in the cable car. It is a 15 minutes ride and it enables visitors to enjoy the scenery as they approach the peak of Fansipan. The cable car starts at the Sapa station which is in Muong Hoa valley.
Tickets can be bought directly at the cable car station and they are only valid for one day. The prices are as follows:
Adult ticket: VDN 600,000 (approximately USD 24.00)
Children (Height: 1 to 1.3 m (3.2 – 4.2 ft) tall): VDN 400,000 (approximately USD 16.00)
Children (Height: < 1 m (3.2 ft)): FREE
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Sources:
- Contemplate the spiritual architectural complex at the top of Fansipan, http://www.viettravelmagazine.com/2018/06/contemplate-spiritual-architectural.html (accessed: 12 February 2019)
- T.T, Translated by Khanh, Kim, Saigon Online; Spiritual and culural complex on Fansipan Peak opens, 1 February 2018, http://sggpnews.org.vn/culture_art/spiritual-and-cultural-complex-on-fansipan-peak-opens-72504.html (accessed: 12 February 2019)
- Savi, Spirit on the top of Fansipan: Road to the Heaven of Flying Clouds, 3 March 2018, https://www.nextcolumn.com/spirit-on-the-top-of-fansipan-road-to-the-heaven-of-flying-clouds/ (accessed: 12 February 2019)
- Sulitskiy, Andrey, Incredible sky over pago silhouette, Fansipan, Vietnam, 4 October 2018, https://www.flickr.com/photos/sulitskiy/45615203692/in/photostream/ (accessed: 12 February 2019)
- Need to know, Hoang Lien Son, Sa Pa was voted by foreign press “The world’s most attractive destination in 2019”, 3 December 2018, https://baodanang.vn/can-biet/201812/hoang-lien-son-sa-pa-duoc-bao-chi-nuoc-ngoai-binh-chon-diem-den-hap-dan-nhat-the-gioi-nam-2019-3124472/index.htm (accessed: 12 February 2019)
- Mùa nào đẹp nhất để chinh phục đỉnh Fansipan hùng vĩ?, 26 September 2018, https://www.24h.com.vn/du-lich-24h/mua-nao-dep-nhat-de-chinh-phuc-dinh-fansipan-hung-vi-c76a993017.html (accessed: 12 February 2019)
- Chiêm bái xá lợi Phật trong lòng Đại Tượng Phật cao nhất Việt Nam, 2 February 2019, https://fansipanlegend.sunworld.vn/chiem-bai-xa-loi-phat-trong-long-dai-tuong-phat-cao-nhat-viet-nam/ (accessed: 12 February 2019)
- Sunworld Fansipan Legend, Đại Tượng Phật, https://fansipanlegend.sunworld.vn/trai-nghiem/dai-tuong-phat/?tax=diem-den-tam-linh, (accessed: 12 February 2019)
- Sunworld Fansipan Legend, Bảo tháp, https://fansipanlegend.sunworld.vn/trai-nghiem/bao-thap/?tax=diem-den-tam-linh, (accessed 12 February 2019)
- Sunworld Fansipan Legend, Thác nước 9 tầng, https://fansipanlegend.sunworld.vn/trai-nghiem/thac-nuoc-9-tang/?tax=diem-den-tam-linh, (accessed: 12 February 2019)
- Sunworld Fansipan Legend, Con đường La Hán, https://fansipanlegend.sunworld.vn/trai-nghiem/con-duong-la-han/?tax=diem-den-tam-linh (accessed: 12 February 2019)
- Sunworld Fansipan Legend, Tượng Quan Thế Âm, https://fansipanlegend.sunworld.vn/trai-nghiem/tuong-quan-the-am/?tax=diem-den-tam-linh, (accessed: 12 February 2019)
For more interesting information:
- Why is Buddha Amitabha So Prevalent in China?
- Amazing Amitabha
- Wonderful Vietnam
- Wesak Day 2018 Vietnamese Dorje Shugden
- Tinch Nhat Hanh: Icon of Peace and Courage
- The Great Buddha of Kamakura
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Buddha Amitabha is a very popular deity due to his simple practice with great results. His practice can be practiced by all kind of people from different social class and background.Vietnam is very fortunate to have this spiritual complex to be so close to the clouds.
It is said that if we make big Buddha, we can also collect more merits. Therefore, if we can afford, we should make a big statue. We need merit to support our spiritual practice.Thank youfor this wonderful sharing.
This Buddha statue looks so stunning! Its location makes it looks very majestic. I just love the picture of this Buddha above the clouds!?So spectacular and so near the “heavens”!?Vietnam is very fortunate to have this spiritual complex to be so close to the clouds. Hope we can have one in Malaysia too!??. Thank you very much Rinpoche and blog team for this wonderful sharing????
I just love the picture of this Buddha above the clouds! So spectacular and so near the “heavens”! It is interesting to read of all the many temples and monasteries in the One minute sections as we learn of the different cultures and interpretation according to their culture that goes into the building of these temples. As with this Fansipan temple, we also see the incorporation of historical art style in construction of the Buddha.
Thank you Rinpoche for always sharing with us the interesting Buddha statues and temples around the world.
This Buddha statue looks so stunning! Its location makes it looks very majestic. The scenery is so beautiful.
It is said that if we make big Buddha, we can also collect more merits. Therefore, if we can afford, we should make a big statue. Merit is important especially for a Dharma practitioner. We need merit to support our spiritual practice.
A Buddha statue can also calm the environment, reduce the occurrence of natural disasters in the area and bring the energy of harmony. Many places that are always struck by natural disasters will erect a big Buddha statue to calm the environment. One example is the big Buddha in Lantau Island.
Wow….. stunning statue of Amitabha Buddha, the highest bronze statue in Vietnam which is considered as the symbol of Fansipan spiritual culture. There are 600-step climb to the top of Fansipan, from Lower Temple to Upper Temple. That’s great and challenging. The whole area where the statue , temples are built recording on the principle of respecting and minimizing the interference of the nature. It was specially built amongst the sea of cloud featuring with many awesome architectural wonders and many statues of Buddha and bronze statues of Arhat. It have been attracting Buddhists and tourists across the country to this hill top of Mount Fansipan, the infamous “Roof of Indochina.
Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful sharing.
Thank you, Rinpoche and blog team for sharing with us this amazing Amitabha Buddha statue on the top of Vietnam. It is being placed in a very picturesque spot which made it look magic amidst the clouds. Vietnam is very fortunate to have this spiritual complex to be so close to the clouds.
Buddha Amitabha is a very popular deity due to his simple practice with great results. His practice can be practiced by all kind of people from different social class and background. Even those who are illiterate can also practice and gain results as long as they do it well.
This practice also gives them hope because it was said that if they are devoted to Buddha Amitabha and the practice, they will have a chance to ascend to his pure land which is Sukhavati. This gives those who are enduring a hard and difficult life to look forward to doing this practice and escape from their misery.