Great Buddha of Kamakura

     Let me first say this thing is HUGE! It's 13.4m (about 44ft) tall and weighs about 121 tons. It's a pretty impressive sight. Construction started in 1252 and took about 10 years to complete.
     Some interesting facts about Buddha. The word Buddha comes from the Sanskrit word, Buddh, meaning, "to awaken" or "to know" when translated to English, "one who has awakened to the truth."
     The 3rd eye (the all-seeing one) is made from pure silver and weights 13.3 kilos (almost 30lbs). The elongated ears represent he is also all-hearing. This particular Buddha is sittingin the Meditation Mudra position, which is used exclusively for the Amida Buddha. Mudra is a specific placement of fingers producing the feeling of joy and happiness during meditation.
     This bronze statue was originally inside a temple (well a few temples) but due to typhoons, earthquakes and tsumanis the temples kept being destroyed so now Buddha can enjoy the sun.

I think I would have taken the hint after the second temple rebuild, that some things are meant to be outside, but that's just me. One of the coolest things about this sight is you can actually go inside the Buddha and see how it was constructed. It will put you back a whole 20 yen ($0.20). It's a wallet breaker but worth it. :) You are able to see how the different sections were put together and right up into Buddha's head. (I can't help but mention how it is empty. That was bad I know.) 

A little more about Buddha's head. He as 656 curls all winding clockwise. Google failed me and I can't find why there are that specific amount and direction. It has something to do with a prince cutting off his topknot and having little curls left. As part of the initial temple there was a bronze lotus blossom constructed. This is what is left. 

The lotus blossom has some pretty cool meaning behind it. There is a Buddhist Proverb, "The lotus flower blooms most beautifully from the deepest mud." It is an amazing flower as it emerges from the bottom of a diry and muddy pond, but remains untouched by its soiled surroundings. There's some food for thought for you. Be like a lotus!