Guanyin of the South Sea of Sanya

　　Highlights: The design of the Guanyin of the South Sea is unique, featuring three integrated statues in one that appear different when viewed from the front. You need to walk around the statue to see the full view of the three Guanyin figures with distinct hand gestures. 　　Introduction: The Guanyin of the South Sea is a single-statue representation of the Three Forms of Guanyin, embodying both the manifestations of Guanyin and the Dharma methods of Guanyin. The front-facing statue holds a sutra case, symbolizing the wisdom virtue (Prajna) of Guanyin. The sutra case represents the 600-volume Prajna Sutra, illustrating that Guanyin "saves herself and others through wisdom and compassion," able to benefit herself by understanding the unobstructed state of reality and attain liberation, and to benefit others by perceiving the needs of all beings and liberating them accordingly, using wisdom to enlighten all sentient beings. 　　The right-facing statue holds prayer beads, representing the liberation virtue of Guanyin—complete freedom from ignorance and all kinds of bondage, attaining a state of great liberation and freedom. It expresses the compassionate spirit of "sentient beings chanting the Buddha, the Buddha chanting sentient beings," reflecting unity and equality. 　　The left-facing statue holds a lotus flower, representing the Dharma body virtue of Guanyin. 　　The design of the Guanyin of the South Sea statue conforms to Buddhist teachings and embodies the image of Guanyin’s boundless compassion and shared suffering, offering great mercy. Many visitors come here to pray for blessings. Guanyin is the principal deity of the Lotus Family in Esoteric Buddhism. The lotus is the symbolic form (Samaya) of Guanyin, representing the Four Virtues: permanence, joy, personality, and purity. It is a sacred flower in Buddhism, symbolizing the sentient beings' physical heart. The lotus remains pure despite growing from the mud, and its roots and stems connect to the heart, symbolizing that “the mind, the Buddha, and sentient beings are not separate.” Overall, it signifies the purity of Guanyin and the perfection of the six senses. 　　Background Information: 　　In response to the wishes of many devotees, the construction of the 108-meter-tall Guanyin statue in the sea was officially approved in 1993 by China’s State Council Religious Affairs Bureau and the People’s Government of Hainan Province. It was built with devotion by the Nanshan Guanyin of the South Sea Merit Foundation. The three-in-one towering figure is the tallest of its kind in the world. Zhao Puchu, then President of the Buddhist Association of China, inscribed the name — "Guanyin of the South Sea of Sanya." 　　In Buddhism, Guanyin Bodhisattva represents compassion. She mainly assists Amitabha Buddha in receiving sentient beings in the Western Pure Land, and in the Saha World, or the real world, she helps Shakyamuni Buddha propagate the Dharma. 　　Dining / Accommodation / Shopping: Dining within Nanshan is not expensive. Vegetarian meals are recommended. 　　1. Yuanqi Building Vegetarian Restaurant: A bit further from the seaside, suitable for the general public, with self-service vegetarian meals at 48 RMB per person. 　　2. Another vegetarian restaurant, slightly more upscale, is located by the seaside with views of the beach out the window and the 108-meter Guanyin of the South Sea visible overhead. The self-service meal costs 58 RMB per person. 　　Transportation: 　　By car: Take the island-loop expressway; signs will guide you all the way. 　　For independent travelers: 　　1. Bus: Take the “Tianya” or “Nanshan” minibuses directly from the city (4 RMB); Tayi Bus (5 RMB); or take a local bus from the West Bus Station to Nanshan (4 RMB). 　　2. Taxi: From downtown, a taxi ride costs between 50–100 RMB. Taxis near Sanya West Station are cheaper but less available. 　　3. Chartered car: Approximately 200 RMB per day. 　　4. Electric sightseeing vehicles are available within Nanshan, connecting various scenic spots at 20 RMB per person. 　　Tickets / Opening Hours: A single-entry ticket system is used for the Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone at 150 RMB per person. Students and individuals eligible for national benefits pay 78 RMB.

　　 Sanya, Hainan