(michaelfoleyphotography/flickr.com)
The largest Buddha in antiquity was perhaps in Afghanistan, at Bamiyan. It was destroyed by Taliban vandals. Other enormous statues of the Buddha, possibly larger and in the supine position, were also discovered in Afghanistan. Ancient artisans of the area (Central Asia), where Siddhartha may have grown up far from Nepal, often portray the Buddha-to-come, Maitreya, rather than the historical Buddha Gautama welcoming him with great monuments. Maitreya is a favorite of Vajrayana and Mahayana Buddhism. The new Bhutanese Buddha in the capital of Thimphu rivals the great rock-hewn statue at Leshan, Sichuan, China and other enormous statuary.(lisajanenapoli)
This is a tiny glimpse of what is purported to be the world's largest Buddha, high above Thimphu Valley, Bhutan -- which until recently was the last Himalayan Buddhist kingdom (before the king unilaterally converted to democracy), from the author of Radio Shangri-La: What I Learned in Bhutan, the Happiest Kingdom on Earth.
- Forced labor in Burma -- death sentence
- China says it is drawing up human rights plan
- AP Exclusive: Nike faces new worker abuse claims
- Venezuela: prison uprising ends after 27 days
- Mexico nabs chief hitman for Knights Templar gang
- Mexico suspends search for 7 missing US tourists
- Mexico suspends search for missing US tourists
- Campaign launched to heal paralyzed lion in Brazil
- Plane crashes, explodes in Brazil, kills 16
- DSK's French accuser speaks out in TV interview
- Venezuela's Chavez expects chemo or radiation