Japan

In the land of Daibutsu- Big Budha

In Japan, the most popular means of public transport are its subways and rails.  They are very fast and well connecting the country, through the different lines.  That day, we took the Enoden railway line from Fujisawa.  Enoden is a streetcar like train and it takes its route very near to the sea.

                         A view of the sea and the islands from the train....

We were very eager to reach our destination, the famous Staue of Daibutsu- Big Budha.  The Great Buddha is located a 5 minute walk from the Enoden Railway Hase Station, the third station from Kamakura main station.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a bronze statue of Amida Budha that is located on the grounds of the Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan (the largest is located in the Todaiji Temple in Nara).   Amida Budha is the Buddha of Infinite Light & Life and Lord of the Beyond & the Afterlife.  Interestingly, it is of Indian origin from the Sanskrit word “Amitabha”

                                             In the lap of Big Budha....

          The face itself of the Big Budha is nearly 2.5 meters long, and this statue weighs 121 tons. Upon the head are 656 hair curls, a traditional characteristic of the Amida Buddha. The silver boss on the forehead (from which emanates the light that illuminates the universe) weighs 30 pounds.  It is possible to go inside the statue with a small additional fee.

              The statue was cast in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were washed away by a tsunami tidal wave in the end of the 15th century, and since then the Buddha stands in the open air.   Even though, standing in the open air has affected its beauty, it is still magnificient.

                                           For the God...

Yes, these are a pair of big sandals, kept in the nearby hall meant for the Big Budha to wear, when he stands up!!! (Our guide told that it was the offering of by some school children!!!).

                                                        ****