<This post consists of 7 photos>
Up to now, I still don’t know what I saw.
We were up in the hills of Yunnan, China.
We came across a golden statue which I am not too sure what it is.
This could be GuangYin, but this doesn’t look like the ones I used to see.
It was gold plated.
It looks peaceful.
It sits on top of a waterfall which plunges into a pool below.
In the pool, there were many kois which were gold in color, swimming happily.
The series of picture will give you an idea of the setting.
I have never shown these pictures as I would like to research it before publishing.
But it is so tempting to publish them under the Travel Theme: Golden!
PS My blogging friend Denise shares the following which she has researched into the background of the golden statute:
It is called Nagarjuna, considered the most important Buddhism philosopher after Gautama Buddha. His image is mostly found in Tibetan Buddhism but scholars said “Along with his disciple Āryadeva, he is considered to be the founder of the Madhyamaka school of Mahāyāna Buddhism.” (Wikipedia)
What an intriguing statue. I hope you will share on your blog what you discover about it from your research.
I think one of the readers already has an answer – it is a Naga. Regards, Michael
Is it a Naga Michael, one of the serpent beings of Buddhist legend?
I am sure you are right! It is a Naga – now I notice that in fact it has the body of a snake. Many thanks for the response!
What a tranquil display in nature. Thank you for sharing this series of photos and so many others from your journeys around the world.
Hello Lindy, glad that you like my photos. Thanks for your continued support and comment!
Golden Goddess…beautiful photographs.
Thank you, hitandrun1964!
Great images Michael.
Thank you, Laurie!
Hee Hee, this is my cup of tea. May I know where is this part of Yunnan? If it is Shangrila, it looks like this is an image of Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism has many different religious images than the traditional ones. This one may take the form of a naga. Gold color is also very typical of many Tibetan religious objects. Remember I showed you the biggest prayer wheel (in gold color too) in Yunnan? Also, from the prayer flags around this area, I would say it is more likely a place with Tibetan Buddhism as the major religion. Let me know if my guess is correct. i love to have this kind of fun!
Personally I have not seen a naga in any Buddhist image. I have seen that mostly in Hinduism (in Cambodia). This has aroused my curiosity. Let me study a bit more about this subject.
It was a place which we passed through some years ago, maybe not too far from the DongBar valley and the snowy mountains of the jade dragons.
Like you I have not seen naga in Tibetan Buddhism, but looking more closely, the statute do have the body of a snake.
Have seen naga before, say, in the Churning of the Seas in Angkor Wat.
Anyway, I believe this is part of Tibetian Buddhism. Regards, Michael
Hi, Michael: I found the information. It is called Nagarjuna, considered the most important Buddhism philosopher after Gautama Buddha. His image is mostly found in Tibetan Buddhism but scholars said “Along with his disciple Āryadeva, he is considered to be the founder of the Madhyamaka school of Mahāyāna Buddhism.” (wikipedia)
I have updated the post with your research findings. Many thanks indeed!
Beautiful pictures, and a very captivating statue!
Glad that you like them, Shikha!
Most unusual….surely someone will know ? Curious : ))
I think some readers would know!
How intriguing – I look forward to what you and other readers have to say about this lovely statue.
Hi, Denise has come out with her research finding which is now added to the post. Regards, Michael
Thank yiu! I am glad that i learned something which is so significant! Thank you for your post and update.
Thank you Denise!
I love how this place been set. hills, golden statue, water falls, fish…
ah Yunnan,…. I’ve been with a friend from Yunnan for 3 days this week. we travel to Karimunjawa Archipelago.
The setting is quite special, hope one day you will travel there too!
I hope so. 😀
🙂