Natural Stone Buddha

Natural Stone Buddha

Natural Stone Buddha

The giant natural Buddha on the cliff is of Sakyamuni and is one of the Four Great Natural Wonders of Bodhisattva Mountain. Legend has it that in those days, Miao Shan (Guanyin’s secular name before attaining enlightenment) was executed by her father. Through the clever arrangement of the Jade Emperor, she dreamed of wandering through the underworld, and upon waking, found herself in the wilderness, hearing the roars of beasts and the cries of birds. As she ran frantically in all directions, she was suddenly shocked and alarmed, and in her panic, wandered onto a pathless cliff. Just then, a fierce lion suddenly pounced toward her. Seeing that escape was impossible, Miao Shan resolved to simply chant the Buddha’s name—after all, she had devoted herself to Buddhism. Suddenly, a golden light flashed from the sky, and a handsome young man shouted

loudly, brandishing a long sword to slay the fierce lion. Seeing this, Miao Shan quickly wiped away her tears, bowed in gratitude, and sincerely thanked him for saving her life. The young man led Miao Shan into a magnificent hall and tried to persuade her not to pursue the path of Buddhism. Miao Shan felt as though she were not in control of her own body, her legs growing weak under the young man’s allure. As they walked further in, she saw treasures everywhere, and then entered an inner chamber filled with fragrant aromas. There, a dragon bed adorned with brocade looked like something out of heaven. The handsome young man said, “Why go far to practice Buddhism? Even if you succeed, what then?” Dazzled by the splendor of the treasure-filled room, Miao Shan was momentarily captivated—when the young man casually offered her a cup of fragrant tea and began to affectionately stroke her hair. Startled, Miao Shan cried, “How dare you be so improper!” Enraged, the young man retorted, “It’s just the two of us here—what can you do if you refuse?” Miao Shan replied, “I can never forget your life-saving kindness, but I would rather die than give in.”

” She then tried to dash her head against the wall to kill herself. The young man solemnly said, “Your Highness, your sincerity is truly well known!” This handsome young man was none other than Sakyamuni. He then told her that the South Sea was the place where she would attain enlightenment. It is said that the South Sea of those days is today’s Bodhisattva Mountain. Due to shifts in the earth’s crust, the thousand-meter-tall Buddha on the mountain’s northern face is the mortal body that Miao Shan left behind after being executed by her father. The Sakyamuni Buddha here is the sacred image left behind when he guided Miao Shan toward enlightenment. Later generations often came to worship here, and so a Guanyin Platform was reconstructed at the site. Since then, this place has become a feng shui treasure where mortals may ascend to Buddhahood.

The shell has changed over time. Nowadays, the thousand-meter-tall Buddha to the north is the mortal body left behind after Miaoshan was executed by her father. The Sakyamuni Buddha here is the sacred statue that once enlightened Miaoshan on her path to enlightenment. Descendants often come here to worship, and thus the Guanyin Platform was rebuilt at this site. Later, this place became a feng shui treasure where mortals could ascend to Buddhahood.

Address: Within Nianzishan District, Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province