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Buddha's Light Appears in Xinjiang Province

edited March 2007 in Buddhism Today
Buddha's Light Appears in Xinjiang Province
By Shi Yu, Epoch Times Staff, Mar 20, 2007

Xinjiang, China -- On February 8, 2007, a phenomenon called Buddha's Light appeared in Kanas Lake, Xinjiang Province. The Buddha light of Kanas Lake is a kind of natural phenomenon resulting from optical diffraction, and mostly appears when sunlight pours through cloud and mist. Local soldiers, officials and journalists witnessed the rare wonder.

<< February 8, 2007, Buddha's Light, a natural optical phenomenon, was captured above the Baihaba scenic spot in Kanas Lake, Xinjiang Province. (The Epoch Times)

The scenic region of Kanas Lake is located in Aletai mountain area of north Xinjiang. It neighbors Mongolia, Russia and Kazaksta. There are several "miracles" in the Kanas Lake scenic spot. The first is a 1,000-meter-long dead wood dyke, formed by wood floating on the lake. The second is a giant "Lake Monster" that often draws horses drinking on the lakeside into the water, adding more mystery to Kanas Lake. The third is the Buddha's Light shining over a sea of clouds, with reflections of a pavilion and human figures in the halo.

In China, this phenomenon is also called Buddha's Halo (Foguang). It was often observed on cloud-shrouded high mountains, such as Mount Tai and Mount Emei. It is a colorful circle of light appearing over the sea clouds. Observers can see the shadow of oneself in the circle. Buddhist followers say it is the light from Buddha's forehead. Buddha's Light got its name because it was thought to show a person's enlightenment, since the halo always surrounds the person's shadow.

But others say it is a physical phenomenon or an optical phenomenon. After a rain or a snowfall, the sunlight penetrates the mist and clouds and forms a circle of seven colors by refraction through the tiny water droplets in the mist. The rainbow-colored halo encircles the image of the beholder himself. One may feel as though caught in the circle, which seems to move in synchronization with one's own movements, much like one's shadow. For centuries, this phenomenon was enshrouded in mystery, and Buddhists consider it good fortune to see Buddha's Halo.

The Buddha Light did not only happen in Xinjiang. The spectacle has also occurred in other places in China during the past few years.

On September 14, 2006, Buddha's Halo appeared, around the reflection, atop of Mount Juewula located between the Dingri County and Mount Everest or Qomolangma in Tibet, attracting many tourists.

On the morning of August 13, 2006, Buddha's Halo occurred, reflecting over the sea of clouds, atop of Mount Wugong at the Jinding scenic spot in Jiangxi Province. It was clearly visible and lasted for half an hour, surprising many tourists.

October 20, 2005, Buddha's Light appeared in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Buddha's Light is known to occur here occasionally.

On the morning of July 3, 2005, the sky lit up after a long storm at the Yangshimu scenic spot in the area of Mount Wugong, Jiangxi Province. Buddha's Light appeared twice—at 8:00 a.m. and at 9:15 a.m. This scenic area is located in the northeast of Wugong Moutain, about 1700 meters (5577 feet) high.

On January 10, 2005, Buddha's Light was seen on Mount Tai. Mount Tai, known as "the first mountain under Heaven," is located in Taian City, in the center of Shandong Province. It covers an area of 436 square kilometers as its base and is situated about 1545 meters (5070 feet) above sea level.

Comments

  • PalzangPalzang Veteran
    edited March 2007
    Interesting. Here's a picture of what sounds like the same phenomenon that happened in Mongolia on Feb. 18, the first day of Tsagaan Sar (White Month), the Mongolian version of Tibetan New Year (Losar).

    buddha_in_sunrise_bayankhongor_web_.jpg

    Palzang
  • edited March 2007
    Whoah, what's the deal with that photo?
  • PalzangPalzang Veteran
    edited March 2007
    On the first day of Tsagaan Sar it is customary for those who live in the Eastern Gobi to assemble at the sacred mountain near Sainshand called Khan Bayan Zurkh at dawn. This year this phenomenon took place. The picture was taken by a policeman who was there for the event. This is the actual, untouched picture he took. Pretty cool, huh?

    Palzang
  • edited March 2007
    very cool... what would be the explanation behind it though? Other than it is a phenoma that may not be able to be explained...
  • PalzangPalzang Veteran
    edited March 2007
    Hmmm, hard to say. Could be just a refraction of the sunlight over the mountaintop. However, I have seen other unexplainable phenomena in the sky that are even more extraordinary, like once I saw a cloud shaped exactly like a stupa right over one of our stupas in Maryland. I mean, exactly like a stupa with the steps and spire and even a lump where the gau (statue) would be. So this doesn't particularly surprise me.

    Palzang
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