Buddha statue of Sakyamuni
On Day 2 of our 7 Nights 6 Days Shanghai / Suzhou / Wuxi Tour (16 - 22 Sept 2006), after breakfast, we proceeded on our journey to Wuxi to visit the giant Buddha of Mt Lingshan.
The giant Buddha stood imposingly at the mid-slope of Mashan Mountain. Its base is mounted on a lotus pod. Climbed further up the steps and one can rub the toes of Buddha, believed to bring good luck. The view at the top is fantastic but if you cannot climb right up to the top, stop halftway where there is a strategic point where you can "touch" the hand of Buddha. #
For a closer glimpse of the Buddha, there is a smaller scale of it in front. There is also a bronze Buddha Palm planted vertically on the ground called, "The First Palm in the World". Many queued up to touch the Buddha's palm so as to be blessed with good fortunes. Devotees prayed for good health and abundant wealth.
This is the grand entrance.
Giant footstep of Buddha and a group photo.
My first view of the Giant Buddha was 'blurred' as it was misty.
Luckily, the sky cleared in time when this awesome musical fountain show of the story of the birth of Buddha started.
This spectacular piece of technology is a circular fountain surrounded with nine dragons protecting the Little Buddha. At the centre of this masterpiece is a tall pillar structure with a lotus flower. Once the musical fountain show started, water slowly jets out at different directions. The lotus flower opens gradually and at the same time rotated clockwise to reveal a little buddha. Towards the climax of the show where the water started shooting skyhigh, many who came prepared sheltered themselves with umbrellas! For those ill-prepared, they consoled themselves with saying they received 'showers of blessing'.
Many believers armed with cups, containers, bottles, etc collected holy water from the 2 urns to drink or washed their faces. And no, I did not go near the water urns.
more Buddha statues....
Devotees with their offerings
more pictures of the Buddha
The Buddha Palm... and yes, I queued up to touch it.
Next pic: and there were 2 or is it 3?
Me, resting my tired cheek (from all the posing for pics) on this happy Buddha's big toe.
Next pic: The smiling Buddha looks hugh at this angle but the real hugh one is the one in the background!
# Unfortunately, due to time constraint, our group could not climb to the top of the Giant Buddha. However, a few of us managed to touch base with the smaller scale Buddha.
Buddha statue of Sakyamuni 
