What Makes the Sea Guanyin Statue in Sanya, China Special?
It is well known that Guanyin Bodhisattva embodies great compassion. The Nanshan Sea Guanyin statue was approved by the State Administration for Religious Affairs and the Hainan Provincial Government, constructed with the collective good will of people from all directions. It is praised as a “world-class and century-level” Buddhist project due to its grandeur, profound meaning, and rich Buddhist connotations.
The Nanshan Sea Guanyin has three unique features that are unprecedented globally:
It stands at a height of 108 meters on the sea, which is 10 meters taller than the Lingshan Buddha and 12 meters taller than the Statue of Liberty in the United States.
The statue has a three-sided “White-robed Guanyin” design.
It is accompanied by a sea-based temple, the Round Bodhi Hall, with a total area of 15,000 square meters.
Unique Design
The concept behind the statue is highly ingenious. The special feature of the Nanshan Sea Guanyin is that it stands on the sea, with three faces, three heads, and three shoulders. However, from every angle, it appears as a complete image with one head and two shoulders, breaking away from the traditional three-faced, six-shoulder model.
Upon closer observation, each side of Guanyin holds a different object: the front is the “Guanyin with a Sutra Box,” the right side is the “Guanyin with Beads,” and the left side is the “Guanyin with a Lotus,” symbolizing “wisdom, compassion, and peace” respectively.
The Unique Beauty of the Hainan Sea Guanyin
The Sea Guanyin exudes a feminine beauty—compassionate, serene, and gentle. No matter the angle, there is a unique allure that captivates the heart. Not only is the Guanyin statue itself beautifully crafted, but the lotus pedestal beneath it is also extremely exquisite, standing 10 meters high with four tiers, each tier featuring 27 identical lotus petals, making a total of 108 petals. The entire structure is made of titanium alloy.
Beneath the lotus pedestal is the Vajra Platform, and within it lies the Round Bodhi Hall, covering an area of 15,000 square meters.
Visitors can take an elevator from the Round Bodhi Hall up to the lotus pedestal platform, where they can closely experience the grandeur of the Guanyin statue and even touch the feet of the Guanyin Bodhisattva.
From an aerial view, the Sea Guanyin presents an even more unique perspective.
Why is the Hainan Sea Guanyin Considered So Miraculous?
The Sea Guanyin of the South China Sea is considered highly miraculous. When the statue was consecrated, many people, including myself as a student back then, went there with our families. Even though we couldn’t get tickets due to the large crowd, my mother still sincerely worshiped outside the gates. Years later, a friend of mine who was struggling to sell her house made a heartfelt vow to the Sea Guanyin, and miraculously, she sold three units in a row.
There is also a popular belief among the locals in Hainan that ever since the Sea Guanyin was built, typhoons tend to change their course away from the Sanya area, reducing the number of natural disasters significantly.
Interestingly, airplanes passing near the Sea Guanyin appear to “salute” the statue. Located near Sanya Phoenix Airport, the statue’s presence necessitates that planes avoid flying directly overhead out of respect. Therefore, flights landing on runway 08 at Sanya Phoenix Airport circle around the 108-meter-tall statue before safely touching down.
The statue is located in the South China Sea, which is traditionally considered a spiritual domain of Guanyin Bodhisattva. The construction was completed following a carefully timed schedule, with the consecration ceremony held on March 16th of the lunar calendar, a date that coincides with the birth of one of the six incarnations of Guanyin Bodhisattva, considered an auspicious day.
On April 24, 2005, the 108-meter-tall Sea Guanyin statue was consecrated, with 108 eminent monks present, creating an auspicious and harmonious atmosphere for this solemn and sacred event.
The number “108” holds special significance in Buddhism: Guanyin Bodhisattva has 12 great vows and 32 incarnations. In the secular world, people pray to Guanyin for blessings, and she transforms accordingly into these 32 incarnations. Multiplying 32 by 3 equals 96, and adding the 12 great vows makes 108.
The Power of Devotion
In Nanshan Temple, if you pray sincerely, you will hear only the sounds of prayers and chanting, with no noise or distractions. When you open your eyes, you’ll see the temple filled with devotees.
A sincere heart is key to true spiritual connection. The serene environment, with opportunities to see the sea at sunrise, listen to the sound of the waves in the cave, stroll through the lush greenery, or enjoy a vegetarian meal at the temple, offers a unique spiritual experience that is hard to find elsewhere.
May the Sea Guanyin always protect the people and the land of Hainan.
