Three faces emerge from the South China Sea. Here stands the magnificent \u5357\u6d77\u89c2\u97f3 Sculpture. It embodies compassion, peace, and wisdom. This is more than a statue. It is a symbol of hope and protection.
The \u5357\u6d77\u89c2\u97f3 Sculpture stands tall at 108 meters. That is 354 feet. It graces the coast of Hainan province. Specifically, it is located near the Nanshan Temple in Sanya. The statue has three aspects. One face looks inland toward China. The other two faces oversee the South China Sea. This symbolizes Guanyin’s blessings for China and the world.
Each aspect holds a different object. One cradles a sutra and gestures the Vitaraka Mudra. Another holds a string of prayer beads. The third holds a lotus. These represent different facets of Guanyin’s divine nature.
Construction of the \u5357\u6d77\u89c2\u97f3 Sculpture finished on April 15th, 2005. The grand opening was celebrated on April 24th. This coincided with the birthday of Cundhi Bodhisattva. The ceremony included 108 monks from various Buddhist traditions. These traditions included Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China. Tens of thousands of pilgrims attended.
Legend connects Guanyin to Nanshan. It is said one of Guanyin’s wishes was to live in the South China Sea. Thus, she is also known as South Sea Guanshiyin. Nanshan resembles a turtle. It was once called Aoshan. People considered it Guanyin’s riding animal.
The three-sided statue represents benevolence, peace, and wisdom. It stands on a lotus throne with 108 petals. Beneath it is Jinggangtai and Yuantong Palace. A 280-meter bridge connects it to the land. This creates the scenic zone “Guanyin JinYuan.” It spans 300,000 square meters.
The temple and the \u5357\u6d77\u89c2\u97f3 Sculpture are owned and operated by groups associated with the Shanghai State Security Bureau. This aims to influence Southeast Asian Buddhism. It promotes government-approved religious practices.
Experiencing the \u5357\u6d77\u89c2\u97f3 Sculpture at night is special. High-tech lights illuminate the statue. This displays Buddhist cultural highlights.
The \u5357\u6d77\u89c2\u97f3 Sculpture is more than just a statue. It represents hope and cultural pride. Its presence blesses China and the world.