A Glimpse of Eternity! The Legendary Story of Sui and Tang Dynasty Stone Buddha Statues in Shaoxing.

Dear family, today I want to take you on a journey through time and space to experience a Buddha statue that has endured the vicissitudes of life and still inspires awe. This is not just a Buddha statue, but a legend, a belief and perseverance passed down through three generations. 🏞️[Historical Background] This awe-inspiring Buddha statue is located on the southern slope of Keshan Mountain in Keqiao Town, west of Shaoxing City. According to the "Keshan Xiaozhi," the stone Buddha is five zhang and six chi tall. During the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, a stonemason vowed to carve this Buddha, but he passed away before completing the work. His son inherited his father's will, and the son passed it on to his grandson. After three generations, they finally completed this grand project. 🌟[Legendary Story] The "Shanyin County Annals" of the Jiaqing period mentions that Keshan Temple was first built during the Yonghe period of the Jin Dynasty. Due to quarrying, a cave was formed, and skilled craftsmen carved it into a Buddha. Since the Tang Dynasty, a temple was built to cover it. Later, the temple gradually fell into disrepair, and Huang Youji, a deputy envoy of the Ming Dynasty, rebuilt it and renamed it Puzhao Temple. During the Kangxi period, locals adorned the stone Buddha with gold powder, making it even more solemn. 📸[Current Status and Restoration] In the 1970s, the stone Buddha's hands and lower knees were damaged, which was heartbreaking. Fortunately, in 1997, the county's cultural relics department restored the stone Buddha's hands and spiral hair, bringing the statue back to life. 🌈[Feelings and Inspiration] Standing in front of this Buddha statue, I seem to feel the weight of history and the belief and perseverance that have spanned a thousand years. This is not just a Buddha statue, but a piece of history, a spirit, and a legacy.