The 25-meter tall statue is claimed to be the archipelago’s tallest Buddha statue. Inaugurated on June 6 in conjunction with the Buddhist Waisak holy day, the white-painted statue symbolizes harmony between Buddhism and Hinduism. The Buddhist temple, located near Gilimanuk Port on the Hindu dominated island of Bali, was built in 1976.
The temple has a large tropical garden, which is a perfect place for meditation and other spiritual activities. The garden features large ponds resplendent with lotus plants, flowers and Koi fish swimming peacefully in the pond. In one corner of the temple, a tall Boddhi tree offers shade. The temple was named after the Buddhist priest Empu Astapaka who traveled to Bali under the invitation of Bali King Raja Dalem Waturenggong in the 16th century. Since then, Balinese Hindus and Buddhists have lived in harmony.