Zhao Yao Stone Buddha

Zhao Yao Stone Buddha

The Zhao Yao Stone Buddha is a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province.

The Zhao Yao Stone Buddha is located north of Zhao Yao Village in Yigou Town, approximately 15 kilometers south of Tangyin County. It was designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Tangyin County in 1988 and as a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province in 2008.

The stone Buddha statue is carved from white stone and stands 1.50 meters tall in total. The image of the Buddha is in the "enlightened" form, seated in the lotus position, with the left hand placed horizontally over the feet, forming the meditation mudra; the right hand extends vertically downward, forming the earth-touching mudra, symbolizing that before attaining Buddhahood, Siddhartha Gautama endured countless hardships, subdued the demons that obstructed his practice, and finally achieved enlightenment — a moment witnessed only by the earth goddess. The stone Buddha is serene and benevolent, with a solemn and dignified expression, and its flowing robes are rendered with lifelike detail. Experts from the Henan Provincial Stone Carving Art Museum have identified it as a Song Dynasty carving.

The Zhao Yao Stone Buddha was originally a statue within the Chongning Temple. It was discovered during a cultural relics survey in August 1984, with slight damage to the right side of the Buddha’s head. The original Chongning Temple once had a mountain gate, main hall, and other structures, but these were destroyed during wartime in 1947. The existing main hall, east and west side halls, and Jade Emperor Hall were rebuilt by local villagers in recent years.

Zhao Yao Village: Zhao Yao Village…… More details about Zhao Yao Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Henan Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units