First, I would like to report on the world's tallest bronze statue of Buddha which is in Ushiku city, Ibaraki Prefecture. The height of this Buddha is 120 meters (394 feet). He is in the temple park, named Ushiku Arcadia, which was built by an old sect of Japanese Buddhism. I have been there several times, but the most recommended time to go there is for the New Year festival that is held from 11p.m. on 31 Dec. to around 2a.m. on 1st Jan. annually. In the New Year of 2007, I attended this fantastic and grand entertainment event. In front of the great Buddha there were so many people for the celebration of New Year with a very solemn mood. Half an hour before New Year, fireworks for charity began. Then just before midnight, a sutra recitation came from loudspeakers. There is a temple bell toll on New Year's Eve and laser lights beamed from the Buddha’s chest! It was very funny even for me, being Japanese. Fireworks were set off again and were even more splendid. I left the religious event because of the low temperature.
You can also enjoy this kind of event in the summer but I think the winter is better to the religious feeling. If you have a chance to visit Ushiku City on New Year’s Eve, please try to have spectacular feelings!
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