On October 10, 2024, the tallest Amitabha Buddha statue in North America arrived at Mituo Village. Thanks to the concerted effort of many volunteers, from 6 PM until well past 11 PM, despite numerous challenges, the Great Buddha was successfully and safely placed into the main hall.

After the Buddha was moved into the hall, it was already past 11 PM. Moonlight filtered through the windows, quietly illuminating the faces of the volunteers, who were focused and determined. After a long day of hardship, they should have been exhausted, but at that moment, their eyes were resolute, and their hearts held one single belief: to safely and securely establish the Great Buddha during this quiet, late hour.

Normally, such a large Buddha statue would require a crane to be erected. However, because the statue was located on the second floor, the crane could not access the area. The issue of the floor’s weight-bearing capacity was also a serious concern. Thus, the task had to rely on mechanical ingenuity and human strength. The volunteers had already rehearsed several possible solutions and prepared the necessary tools and materials. They gathered around the statue and began to quietly discuss the next steps.

The first plan the volunteers discussed was to install two sets of pulleys on the crossbeam and gradually raise the statue. However, when a few volunteers stood on the lift and slowly ascended to check the crossbeam, they discovered that it was made of wood and could not support the statue's weight. What had seemed like a well-thought-out plan quickly failed. The volunteers' spirits were briefly dampened, but none of them retreated. They exchanged quiet glances, then began discussing alternative methods.

The second plan was to back a truck into the hall, using the truck's winch to pull the statue up inch by inch. However, when they tried, they realized that due to the angle and the forces involved, the winch alone would cause damage to the statue’s steel frame due to friction.

To protect the statue, the volunteers decisively stopped and rethought their approach. Eventually, they decided to use the lift to gradually raise the statue while other volunteers stabilized the lift to prevent it from tipping. In this cautious manner, the statue slowly began to lift off the ground.

As the night grew deeper, only the low murmurs of Buddha's name filled the air, echoing softly throughout the hall. The Great Buddha was gradually raised to a 45-degree angle, and only then did they carefully begin to use the winch to pull the statue higher.

The Buddha was slowly and steadily approaching its vertical position. Just as it was almost upright, a new concern emerged: if the statue’s weight suddenly dropped, the floor on the second level might not withstand the impact. A few experienced volunteers immediately decided to secure the statue with large straps around its base, and everyone exerted force to carefully control the straps. Each volunteer held their breath, adjusting their strength to ensure the statue descended safely.

The process continued until around 3 or 4 AM, and the statue was finally safely and securely positioned in the center of the hall. When the volunteers looked at each other, their eyes showed exhaustion, but more than that, there was a sense of relief and gratitude.

Some volunteers were ready to rest, but a few determined ones proposed that they should immediately remove the protective steel frame from the Buddha, to prepare for the group practice the following day. The steel frame was heavy, and its height exceeded expectations, making the dismantling process much more difficult than anticipated. The volunteers stood on the shaking lift, cutting the frame into sections with an electric saw. The process was physically demanding and required intense focus, as they had to maintain their balance to avoid falling from the lift while also ensuring the statue remained unharmed.

In the quiet night, the sound of the electric saw echoed through the hall. Each piece of steel cut away was a silent testament to the volunteers' persistence. By 9 AM the next morning, the frame had finally been removed, but the volunteers’ hands were covered in cuts, and their eyes bloodshot from exhaustion.

However, the most difficult step still lay ahead—the Buddha's base was still about 20 to 30 centimeters off the ground and had not yet fully settled. At this point, the volunteers worked together, placing thin wooden planks under the statue’s base, gradually removing the steel frame, inch by inch. Each descent was carefully controlled, and the movement had to be limited to two or three centimeters at a time. Any larger movement would cause the statue to tilt, risking instability. The volunteers spread out around the statue, securing it with straps. Every time the statue began to tilt during its descent, the corresponding volunteers would apply all their strength to stabilize the straps, ensuring the statue remained upright.

The entire process lasted until after noon, with the sound of Buddha's name reverberating throughout the hall, filling everyone with joy. Finally, the Great Buddha was safely seated. The task was completed perfectly. The volunteers had successfully installed the Buddha with zero damage to the statue and the newly renovated floor, surpassing all expectations. And yet, these volunteers had not slept for several days.

The volunteers silently began removing the foam wrapping from the Buddha’s body, carefully taking off each piece, slowly revealing the figure of the Buddha.

When all the foam was removed, only the red cloth covering the Buddha’s face remained. The monks led the group in chanting praises to the Buddha.

In the hall, the sound of chanting reverberated softly, drawing everyone’s heart towards the Buddha. As the chanting rose and fell, the volunteers' reverent eyes were fixed on the Buddha's face. The red cloth was gently removed, and as the Buddha's face gradually appeared, the serene and compassionate eyes shone like a beam of light, pure and warm, illuminating everyone.

In that moment, when the Buddha's full face was revealed, tears began to flow down the volunteers’ faces. It felt as though their souls had been gently touched by the Buddha's light. In that instant, all the fatigue and hardship disappeared. The entire hall seemed to be filled with an invisible warmth, and every person felt a deep sense of comfort and tranquility. The volunteers bowed their heads, palms pressed together, eyes blurred with tears, their hearts deeply connected to the Great Buddha, feeling a warm and stabilizing power quietly flowing within each of them.

With hearts full of gratitude, we bow deeply to all the volunteers who made this possible. It is their tireless effort, selfless dedication, and unwavering commitment that led to the successful installation of the Great Buddha. We are grateful for the Buddha's blessings, and for the protection of the Dharma protectors, which allowed this challenging process to proceed smoothly and safely.

This Great Buddha is not only a symbol of faith but also the fruit of everyone’s hard work and unity, carrying the prayers and blessings of countless people. May all those who participated and all beings with good intentions find comfort and strength in the Buddha's light. We humbly invite everyone to participate in the activity of copying the Buddha's name, hoping that this selfless wish will spread far and wide, protecting more sentient beings in need.