The Most Beautiful Buddha Sculptures in the World

Author : Peter Vredeveld

Most beautiful collection of Buddha statues

For followers of Buddhism, one of the most beloved and familiar symbols to worship is the image of the Buddha. Modeled after the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, statues of the Buddha can be found worldwide, particularly in the countries where this religion is most popular. Buddha statues come in many shapes and sizes. However, some of the most impressive Buddha sculptures in the world are large in scale. If you're an adventurer, seeker of beauty, or follower of Buddhism, read on, and we'll show you where to find some of the most beautiful Buddha sculptures in the world.

1. Avukana Buddha – Sri Lanka

Standing 40 feet tall, the Avukana Buddha statue in North Central Sri Lanka was carved out of an expanse of granite rock sometime during the 5th century. This popular tourist attraction features elaborate carvings and is one of the most notable standing Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. Archaeologists believe the statue was once housed inside part of a now long-gone shrine, with only remnants of its walls remaining. Historians have noted the similarity between this statue and another nearby statue at Sasseruwa, leading them to believe that these statues were created simultaneously by a master carver and a pupil. This story has since been discredited, but the legend lives on.

Image credit: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

2. Wat Benchamabophit Temple - Thailand

Also known as the marble temple, the Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand, offers visitors various visual delights. Aside from the temple's ornate beauty, it also houses as many as 52 varieties of Buddha statues. Construction of this impeccable natural stone Italian marble building was started in 1899 by King Chulalongkorn and wasn't completed until 1911. Travelers looking specifically for the Buddha statues will find them near the assembly hall houses.

3. Spring Temple - China

Standing at an impressive 502 feet high, the Spring Temple Buddha in Lushan County, Henan, China, offers a breathtaking sight. Constructed between 1997 and 2008, this statue is currently the 2nd tallest in the world. This enormous statue stands on top of a Buddhist monastery and is cast in 1,100 pieces of copper, weighing 1,000 tons. It is estimated that the entire construction project of this statue cost nearly $55 million.

Image Credit: Nyx Ning, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

4. Great Buddha of Thailand - Thailand

This sitting Buddha statue in Southeast Thailand currently ranks the 7th tallest in the world at 302 feet. It is composed of concrete and painted gold, and its construction was completed in 2008 to commemorate King Bhumibol of Thailand. Faithful Buddhists helped raise funds to construct this gilded beauty, which can be observed by admirers nearby with its size and location.

Image Credit - Stephanie Richard, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

5. Nanzo-in Reclining Buddha – Japan

Said to be the largest bronze statue in the world, this reclining Buddha was completed in 1899 and weighs nearly 300 tons. This statue represents the Buddha at the moment of his death, as he prepares to enter nirvana.

6. Phuket Big Buddha - Thailand

This seated Buddha statue in Phuket, Thailand, was constructed between 2002 and 2014 and is composed of concrete with a Burmese white marble covering. At 145 feet high, this Buddha statue was coined "The Buddhist Treasure of Phuket" in 2008 by the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand. The statue's official name is Phra Phutta Ming Monkgol Akenakakiri, which roughly translates to "the gloriously honorable Buddha on top of the hill of Naga."

7. Ushiku Daibutsu - Japan

This Buddha statue is in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, and is 390 feet high. This statue was made of bronze to commemorate the birth of the founder of Jodo Shinshu, Shinran, the True Pure Land School of Buddhism. Currently one of the top 5 tallest statues in the world, visitors can take an elevator to an observation floor 279 feet high to enjoy a breathtaking view of a flower garden and animal park. The statue is a type of four-story museum, each floor representing a different theme. On the third floor alone, visitors can enjoy over 3,000 examples of Buddha statues!

8. Tian Tian Buddha – Hong Kong

This large bronze Buddha stands at 112 feet and was completed in 1993. It is situated atop the hill, and visitors must climb 268 steps to visit its base. Beneath the statue lies three floors of halls, one of which allegedly contains an ancient relic that consists of some of the cremated remains of the Gautama Buddha. Unlike many other Buddha statues, the Tian Tian Buddha faces north, while most other Buddhas face south.

9. Buddha Dordenma – Bhutan

Built of bronze and situated in the mountains of Bhutan, this looming Buddha statue was constructed to commemorate the 60th anniversary of King Jigme Singye Wangchuk. It stands 177 feet high and is dedicated to bringing peace and prosperity.

10. Shwethalyaung Buddha – Myanmar

This reclining Buddha is the oldest on our list and is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Mon King Migadepa in 994 A.D. It is a reclining Buddha statue 180 feet long and 55 feet high. The statue was lost when the town of Pegu was pillaged during colonial British rule in 1757, but it was restored in the 1800s and again in the 1900s.

There are many standing, sitting, and reclining Buddha statues worldwide to view and visit as a place of worship or remembrance. Which ones will you seek out on your next adventure?