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This massive, towering visage of Amida Nyorai, known more commonly by his Sanskrit name Amit?bha, was the tallest statue in the world for a time. Its reign lasted from when it was finished in 1995 until 2002, when an effigy of Vairocana was completed in Lushan, China. Since then, another statue was completed in Myanmar that is 6 meters taller, making this Japanese giant the 3rd tallest statue in the world.
The deity depicted, Amit?bha or "Buddha of Infinite Light", is a celestial buddha, as described in the Mah?y?na scriptures. In Japan, Amida Nyorai is the central buddha of the Pure Land sect. Amida is known for his good deeds spanning innumerable past-lives, after attaining enlightenment, he allowed himself to be continually reborn to help others, the true sign of a Bodhisattva.
One can take an elevator to an observation room in the chest of the statue, from here the beautiful countryside is in plain view.
