Restoration of Dazu Thousand-hand Boddhisattva

A Brief Introduction to Dazu Thousand-hand Boddhisattva

The Thousand-hand Boddhisattva in the scenic area of Dazu Rock Carvings was carved in the late-mid South Song Dynasty. It is a statue carved on the cliff face of 88 square meters. There are 1007 eyes and hands on the statue which collected the craft of sculpture, colored painting and gold-covering. The shape of Dazu Thousand-hand Boddhisattva is like a peacock spreading its tail.

Status Quo of Dazu Thousand-hand Boddhisattva

Over the past more than 800 years since it was carved, the statue of Dazu Thousand-hand Boddhisattva has been eroded by wind and water and other "diseases". It has been restored many times and the latest large-scaled restoration was in Guang-Xu the 15th year in Qing Dyansty which is over 100 years ago.

In recent years, under the cyclic dry-wet conditions and influenced by the acid rain, the damage of Dazu Thousand-hand Boddhisattva becomes worse and worse. The surface of the statue suffers from chapping and exfoliation. According to a latest survey, there are only 13 arms and 817 hands remaining of the Thousand-hand Boddhisattva, including 283 incomplete hands which account for 34%. There altogether 34 diseases torturing the statue of Thousand-hand Boddhisattva, with a total disease area of almost 200 square meters.

Restoration of Dazu Thousand-hand Boddhisattva

After two years of early exploration and test, the restoration work of Dazu Thousand-hand Boddhisattva has been commenced. The main restoration work is predicted to cost 40 million RMB under the principle of "minimal intervene and maximal utilization". It includes 11 procedures such as the conservation, dedusting, gold foil uncovering and gold foil patching and so on. Many of the restoration means are used for the first time in China.

The specialists say that the restoration work is not reestablishment. It is just a way to prolong the life of Thousand-hand Boddhisattva. There are altogether more than 400 damages on the fingers with over 100 damages beyond repair. These irreparable damages will be kept as it is. The restoration work is estimated to finish in 3 years. At that time, the grandness of the Thousand-hand Boddhisattva will be re-presented.

In addition, with beginning of the restoration work of Thousand-hand Boddhisattva, the work of construction of the Dazu Rock Carvings Museum also starts. A 4D cinema will also be built in the museum.