The Great Buddha of Tōdai-ji
A bronze Buddha that consumed a huge share of Japan's copper
Emperor Shōmu, shaken by epidemics and revolts, ordered a giant statue of the Buddha Vairocana about 15 metres tall. It consumed a huge share of the country's bronze. In 752 the Indian monk Bodhisena performed the 'eye-opening' ceremony before thousands of guests. The Great Buddha Hall long remained the largest wooden building in the world.
Wikipedia (Russian) · Wikipedia (English) · 8th century
Meanwhile around the world (±25 years)
Europe
- 732 Battle of Tours — 20 years earlier
Middle East
- 762 Founding of Baghdad — 10 years later
Alive at the time
- Charlemagne (aged 4)
- Li Bai (aged 51)
- Emperor Kanmu (aged 15)