“Heavenly Realm of the Sea and Sky”—Zhoushan Guanyin Sanctuary

The Guanyin Dharma Realm is located in the Zen Town of Zhujiajian, facing Putuo Mountain across the sea. It is a themed exhibition park centered on Guanyin culture, encompassing the essence of Guanyin culture. Upon entering the park, one is immediately struck by the majestic and grand main building of the Guanyin Sanctuary. The Guanyin Sanctuary consists of a main building flanked by two auxiliary buildings, forming a 'pin' character shape. The central main building is the sanctuary, with the two side buildings dedicated to Shancai and Longnü. The main building of the sanctuary adheres to the design concept of 'Guanyin is the sanctuary,' comprising six main parts: the grand staircase, the base, the lotus petals, the tower body, the halo, and the Pilu hat, embodying the pinnacle of contemporary Buddhist art. The central axis landscape progresses from south to north, starting from the South Gate Plaza, through the Reception Island and the Reception Bridges, to the Sanctuary Plaza, creating a layered approach from the mundane to the sacred. The scenery integrates with the surrounding mountains and sea, creating a Zen-filled paradise. The main building has nine floors. The first floor, the Universal Hall, boasts the largest dome space in Buddhist architecture worldwide. The atrium structure is based on the Buddhist 'Mount Sumeru,' symbolizing 'Guanyin embracing Mount Sumeru.' The base of the Universal Hall is shaped like a giant lotus flower. In the center of the hall stands a statue of the Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin, surrounded by statues of the Eight Great Vajras. The circular walls feature nine rows of seated Guanyin statues, and with the standing Thousand-Armed Guanyin, there are approximately 199 statues in total, creating a spectacular sight. The first to seventh floors are open for visitors, housing numerous statues of Guanyin in various forms. The image of Guanyin is diverse due to her countless manifestations and miraculous responses, making her the bodhisattva with the most varied forms among all bodhisattvas.