Buddha of Ibiraçu, Buddhist statue at a Zen monastery in Ibiraçu, Brazil
The Buddha of Ibiraçu is a 35-meter tall statue made of metal and concrete located at a Zen Buddhist monastery in the municipality of Ibiraçu. The figure portrays Buddha seated on a lotus flower positioned at the monastery's entrance.
The project was conceived by abbot Daiju Bitti and executed by sculptor Genésio Gomes de Moura and his family, with over 40 professionals working on the steel, iron and concrete structure. The inauguration, planned for September 2020, was delayed by construction setbacks and the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2020, spiritual leader Minamizawa Zenji performed the keigen eye-opening ceremony remotely over the internet, and the statue was officially opened to the public on 28 August 2021.
The statue stands at a Zen Buddhist monastery that draws visitors curious about meditation and Eastern spirituality. The grounds host a living community that gathers regularly to practice and learn together.
Access to the monastery grounds is available to visitors during specific times, with capacity limits in place. It is advisable to check current visiting practices beforehand to ensure a smooth visit.
Weighing 350 tons, this is the largest Buddha statue in the Western Hemisphere. The figure stands about 5 meters taller than Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue.
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