Sri Lanka: 1000 year old carved stone figures representing Maitreya, the future Buddha (right), and what is believed to be either the Hindu god Vishnu or Sahampati Brahma (left), Buduruvagala

The remote ancient Buddhist site of Buduruvagala (which means ‘stone Buddha images’ in Sinhalese) is thought to date from the 10th century, when Mahayana Buddhism dominated parts of Sri Lanka. Carved into the rock face is a huge 16m-high Buddha figure, with three smaller figures on either side. These are thought to represent the Maitreya Buddha, Avalokitesvara and his consort Tara, as well as the Hindu god Vishnu.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia