Well, finally a Buddha that isn’t a Mireuk Buddha!

This is none other than the Great Unification Medicine Buddha of Donghwa Temple, in Daegu.

Standing at 33m (108 feet, by chance…), locals claim that it is the largest in the world. Though, I’m not sure how many other “Great Unification Medicine Buddhas” there are to compete with, I think they refer to other free-standing statues. I could imagine that it is the largest Medicine Buddha anywhere.

Gazing up from beneath, the physical aspect of its greatness is obvious, but there is also another reason for this title. As you may have surmized from its name, prayers are offered here for the reunification of the Korean peninsula. Inside the body of the Great Buddha are two bone shards of Shakyamuni’s, presented as gifts from the government of Myanmar.