The Buddha statue (55 feet including the pedestals and base):
- It is the largest one in western hemisphere. It is 37 feet high. It is made of marbles. The marbles were first grinded into powder, then remolded into the statue.
- It gestures symbolizing that we are made of four elements and emptiness (5 fingers of the right hand), and the consciousness ( the one left finger holding by the right hand). There are other explanations though.
- The pedestals of lotus flowers (8 feet) symbolize wisdom. The lotus grows out of mud which symbolizes that we attain wisdom through hardships.
- The base (10 feet) which is decorated by Bodhisattvas.
- The Bodhisattvas are those enlightened beings whose vows are to help others to relieve from their sufferings and get enlightened. They possess great compassion for all sentient beings. They are very feminine looking. It is because the compassion in Buddhism is likened to motherly love. Mother always forgives their little ones. If they do something wrong, it is because that they don’t know better. With proper guidance, they will do right. In Buddhism, gender is not an issue. You can be an abbot if you are a nun. If there are any restrictions, it is due to societies’ customs.