An original hairline engraving, carved into one of the lotus petals at the base of the Great Buddha. The engraving shows Shakyamuni preaching the law to a crowd of bodhisattvas. In Kegon Buddhism, the historical Buddha is regarded as a manifestation of Vairocana, the Great Buddha. The high position of the lotus petals means they cannot be seen by visitors, so replicas are displayed at ground level. (© Muda Tomohiro)
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