Stone Buddha

　　    A stone Buddha is enshrined in Jixiang Temple, located in the northeast corner of Baifutu Town, Chengwu County. The statue is carved from bluestone, shaped nearly round, stands seven chi two cun tall (approximately 2.4 meters), and weighs about 5 metric tons. It depicts Shakyamuni Buddha. The head is disproportionately large compared to the body, with curly hair, a low and flat forehead, and a sacred dot in the center of the brow. The cheeks are flat, and the expression is serene and peaceful. According to Mr. Sun Xiu from the Dunhuang Research Academy, this stone Buddha was sculpted during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period.

　　    There is a local legend about this stone Buddha: Long ago, a great flood struck the area. The Buddha arrived with the floodwaters, making a thunderous sound, drove the flood away, and then turned into this stone Buddha, taking his seat here to forever protect the land from disasters. Generation after generation has enjoyed peace and prosperity. Of course, legends are just that—legends. Mainly because the true history of the stone Buddha remains unclear, some people have added a layer of mystery to make the story more vivid. This legend aligns with the Buddhist ideals of compassion and salvation, reflecting the working people’s hopes and aspirations for a better life in olden times.