Scott No: 3273
Serial number: 2003-7
Values in set: 1 (Souvenir Sheet )
Denomination: 8.00 yuan
Date of issue: 28th Apr. 2003
Designer: Wang Huming
Size of S/S stamp: 50*65 mm
Size of S/S: 145*90 mm
Printing process: gravure-engraving
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

This is a special souvenir sheet titled Leshan Giant Buddha, issued on April 28, 2003, with a face value of 8 yuan, designed by Wang Huming, engraved by Yan Bingwu, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using a combination of offset and intaglio (engraving) printing.

The Leshan Giant Buddha is located on the cliff face of Lingyun Mountain in Leshan, Sichuan, at the confluence of the Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu rivers. It is the largest surviving stone-carved seated Maitreya Buddha in the world. The carving of the Great Buddha began in 713 AD during the Tang Dynasty and took nearly ninety years to complete. The statue is 71 meters tall and was carved directly into the mountain rock. It is often described as "the mountain is a Buddha, and the Buddha is a mountain." In 1996, the Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei were jointly inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. This stamp was issued to coincide with the 1,200th anniversary of the completion of the Leshan Giant Buddha. It documents this millennium-old stone carving treasure, showcasing the superb carving techniques of Tang Dynasty stone sculpture and the profound Buddhist cultural significance, while raising awareness for the protection of ancient stone relics.

Stamp Design and Historical Background

Leshan Giant Buddha

The stamp features the seated Maitreya Buddha carved into the mountain cliff. The Buddha sits upright on the cliff, with a solemn and peaceful expression and a majestic, substantial form. The rock textures of the cliff face are clearly visible. The carving of the Buddha was originally intended to calm the turbulent waters at the confluence of the three rivers and reduce the number of boat accidents, combining both spiritual blessings and practical flood control. Over more than a thousand years, the Buddha has endured weathering and erosion. The surviving details of the carving fully reflect the grand aesthetic style of the Tang Dynasty and the superb mountain-carving skills of ancient craftsmen. It is the largest and most representative cliff carving in southwestern China. The souvenir sheet border features a close-up of the Buddha's head, creating an antique and profound atmosphere that highlights the historical depth of the stone carving after a millennium of vicissitudes.

Artistic and Design Features

The souvenir sheet uses a combination of offset and intaglio printing. The engraved plate delicately depicts the rough texture of the rock and the folds of the Buddha's robes, accurately reproducing the weathered quality of the stone carving. The offset printing enhances the light and shadow layers, strengthening the grand and substantial presence of the mountain. The composition is simple and dignified, highlighting the main figure of the Buddha. The border and the main image complement each other, with a steady, antique color palette that condenses the majestic momentum of this colossal cliff carving into the stamp, fully displaying the solemn charm of Tang Dynasty stone carving art.