Story By: Anastasia Smirnova, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Video Credit: CEN/@clubsanaga

This is the huge Buddhist statue that will be erected in a sleepy Russian village next year.

The 135-foot statue of Avalokitesvara, also known as Padmapani, will be erected in the village of Sanaga in the south-eastern Russian republic of Buryatia, bordering with Mongolia.

Avalokitesvara is a bodhisattva, someone who is on the path towards Buddhahood, who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas.

This bodhisattva is usually depicted and described in different cultures as either male or female.

The decision to erect the huge Avalokitesvara statue in the sleepy village came from Damba Ayusheev, head of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia.

According to statements made by the first Buddhist heads to live in eastern Siberia, the village of Sanaga is considered to be of profound spiritual importance.

The statue has been designed by Yuriy Mandagalov, who is an expert in Florentine mosaic, also known as ‘Commesso’.

His work is widely exhibited around the world and private collectors are said to include President Vladimir Putin, 67, and the Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, 51.

Mandagalov said: “The trimmers have now completed their work, and we can finally start with the lotus, the foundation. There is still a lot of work ahead of us.”

The statue is planned for completion in 2020 and is said to be the central point of a Buddhist park planned for the village.

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