Great Buddha of Nara (Daibutsu)

Japanese The Great Buddha of Nara (Nara Daibutsu) is the world's largest bronze Buddha, housed in one of the world's largest wooden buildings. Cast in 752 CE, the statue represents Vairocana Buddha, the cosmic Buddha embodying the universe itself. The figure sits nearly 15 meters tall, its construction requiring most of Japan's available bronze and nearly bankrupting the government.

The statue has survived earthquakes, fires, and civil wars that destroyed its hall multiple times. The current figure incorporates repairs from various eras, with only parts of the original (including lotus petals) surviving. The bronze required an estimated 8 million pounds of metal and nearly 500 pounds of gold for gilding. Emperor Shōmu dedicated the statue as a spiritual protection for Japan during a time of plague and disaster.

The Buddha sits in the Great Buddha Hall at Tōdai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.