Chen Chong: Suzhou Shangfang Mountain Big Golden Buddha Maitreya
In the Shangfang Mountain National Forest Park, a remarkable sight awaits: the giant golden statue of Maitreya Buddha standing on the top of the mountain. After climbing 198 steps of white Shandong stone you reach the majestic Maitreya Buddha statue and from this vantage point you can enjoy the splendid view of Suzhou!
I remember that around 1996, I started to make a small 1-meter plaster model, up to a large 15-meter clay model, then turned into a plaster model again. Because of the size of the statue, the work became more difficult and the workers had to build a large temporary shed outdoors, you can imagine how difficult the working environment was at that time.
Thus the great Buddha Maitreya was born perfectly and smoothly! Because of the vastness and difficulty of the project, each stage required a great deal of human and material resources, as well as various techniques and methods! It took almost two years to complete the golden statue of Maitreya, a work that brought together the wisdom and strength of many people!
Now, almost thirty years later, when I saw this majestic golden statue of Maitreya Buddha facing east again, I was deeply moved. Time flies, but the Buddha statue still stands silently in the beautiful mountain scenery. It looks more solemn and elegant against the background of the lush forest. The brilliant golden light gives off a mysterious enchanting atmosphere. Its enormous scale and fascinating artistic complexity attract numerous Chinese and foreign tourists.
Chen Chong, April 2023
Plaster model preparatory to the realization of the Maitreya Buddha sculpture of the ShangFang mountain park in Suzhou
