Sunday, July 10, 2011

Buddha Entering Nirvana: Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture

The Buddha Entering Nirvana at the Kotoji Temple in Shimabara City was a place that I had heard about many times over but was of yet unable to find its true location.  Tucked away in a sleepy neighborhood location it is basically in the most unlikely area to find such a massive and powerful statue such as a Buddha.  To view the impressive and spectacular reclining Buddha as it is entering the state of Nirvana is awe inspiring and moving and really works to the core of one spirituality.

The statue measures 8.6m long and 2.2 m high and is a sparkling silver colour in appearance.  It was built in 1957 to honor Itakura Shigemasa, who commanded the Tokugawa Government forces against the rebels during the Shimabara Rebellion.  The statue is the longest reclining Buddha in Nagasaki and it lies within my backyard which I call the Shimabara Peninsular, incredible!!

To see the statue up close in its peaceful form was a real eye opener for me, especially since i am not Buddhist and don't know very much about the history of Buddhism.  After about 20 or 30 minutes the impact of the statue become more evident as one can achieve a level of inner peace in a non meditation way.  Well worth a visit and totally one of those surprise packets that one doesn't expect to find everyday of the week.  I am sure you will need at least 30 minutes here at this spectacular location as it has that wow factor that everyone wants to feel.

Buddha Entering Nirvana comes highly recommended.

Please check out the Buddha entering Nirvana here on a map!

Please click on the photos below to enlarge:


Peaceful

Posing

Totally relaxed

Head shot

Sleeping beauty

Please click on the video below to see the Nagasaki Buddha Entering Nirvana:

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