Sichuan Provence, Leshan, China
When the river is deepest, it makes least noise.
—Proverb
When Chinese Buddhist monk Hai Tong wanted to still the treacherous, turbulent waters near Leshan (an extremely holy area of Sichuan Provence) at the convergence of three rivers, which were the bane of local fishermen and their vessels, he decided to build a giant statue of Buddha into the cliffs. He started the project in A.D. 713, and his disciples finished it in 803. Because of the massive amounts of earth and stone removed, the course of the confluence shifted, the waters became calmer, and fishermen felt safer.
If feelings of safety are important for your spiritual life, come and see the Leshan Buddha. The Buddha is lodged against Mount Emei. Fly to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and drive to Leshan (about 93 miles). The cities of Emei and Leshan are also connected by freeway, train, and bus, and there is ferry service to Mount Emei Park.
Take a ferry to approach the Buddha by water. Try to imagine how turbulent the river must have been in the eighth century before the construction of the giant Buddha calmed the turbulence. Allow feelings of safety and security to arise and offer thanks to the Buddha and his servant Hai Tong.
The Leshan Buddha is the world’s tallest stone-carved seated Buddha and is a World Heritage site.