Painting a 1,400-year-old Buddha statue.

In Sichuan province , China, people are repainting a Buddha statue in bright colors as a token of gratitude, unaware that this action is damaging the 1,400-year-old relic.

Authorities in Nanjiang County, Sichuan Province, discovered earlier this month that locals were repainting a series of Buddha statues on a mountain with bright colors, but were unable to stop them in time. "They were around 70-80 years old, saying they were repainting the reliefs to thank Buddha for answering their prayers. We could do nothing but reprimand them and raise their awareness," said an unnamed official.

The series of Buddha statues, carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), lies along an ancient transportation route dating back 3,000 years.

The bas-relief before and after being repainted. Photo: SCMP

According to experts, this structure is of "significant value," representing the foundation of Buddhism in Sichuan and surrounding areas in ancient times. Authorities have erected rain shelters and installed surveillance cameras, but have not yet placed the site under protection.

The Nanjiang authorities are seeking to restore the Buddha statues to their original state. "We have invited experts to study how to remove the paint, and at the same time, we are calling on the public to raise awareness about protecting cultural heritage," said an unnamed official.

The practice of locals repainting ancient Buddha statues is a common occurrence in China. In 2018, officials in Sichuan province reported that 13 ancient statues in a cave had been "repainted excessively and inappropriately."

According to China's Law on the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, any repair or renovation work on historical sites must be approved by the government and carried out by licensed companies.

Duc Trung (According to SCMP )

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