The Serenade of the Mountain: The Unseen Love of the Great Buddha

In the heart of Sichuan, where the Yangtze River roars and the mountains rise like the back of a sleeping dragon, there lies the Leshan Giant Buddha, a testament to human ingenuity and spiritual devotion. The Buddha, carved into the cliffside, is the largest stone statue in the world, a guardian of the land for centuries. But beyond the awe-inspiring sight, there lies a story of love, forbidden and eternal, that has been whispered through the ages.

The story begins with a celestial being, a Deva, named Vajra, who has been tasked with watching over the mortal realm. Vajra is a guardian of the mountains, a protector of life and nature. He is beautiful, with eyes that reflect the wisdom of the cosmos and a heart full of compassion. One day, as he surveys the land, he sees a young woman, Lian, tending to her family's fields. She is graceful, her laughter like the sound of the wind through the bamboo, and her spirit as free as the river's current.

Vajra is captivated. He has never seen a mortal so pure, so unblemished by the world's corruption. Lian, unaware of Vajra's existence, is just a simple farmer's daughter, living a life of toil and simplicity. She has never heard of celestial beings or the vastness of the heavens. Yet, in her heart, there is a spark that Vajra feels he must protect.

As days turn into weeks, Vajra's visits to the mortal realm become more frequent. He comes to the fields where Lian works, watching over her, ensuring her safety. Lian, in turn, feels a strange sense of comfort and peace whenever she is near the mountains. She often speaks to the rocks, thanking them for their silent support.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the valley, Vajra decided to reveal himself to Lian. He appeared before her, his form shimmering with light. Lian was initially terrified, but as she looked into his eyes, she saw no harm, only a gentle presence.

"Who are you?" Lian asked, her voice trembling with fear.

"I am Vajra," he replied, "a guardian of the mountains. I have watched over you and your family for some time. I have come to tell you that I am in love with you."

Lian was taken aback. She had never imagined such a thing could be true. "But I am only a mortal," she said, "and you are a celestial being."

Vajra sighed. "The love between us is forbidden, but it is real. I cannot live without you, Lian. Can you love me as I love you?"

Lian's heart was torn. She knew that to love Vajra would mean leaving her family and the life she knew. But the love in his eyes was too powerful to resist. "I will love you," she whispered.

Their love blossomed in secret, a forbidden fruit in the garden of the mortal realm. They met at night, their whispers carried by the wind, their touch a sacred promise. But their time together was fleeting, for Vajra could not stay in the mortal world for long.

One night, as they stood together, gazing at the stars, Lian felt a presence behind her. She turned to see her father, a stern man who had never approved of her visits to the mountain. "You are not to see him again," he growled. "He is not of this world, and you do not belong with him."

Lian's heart broke. She knew her father was right, but she could not bear to be apart from Vajra. "I must see him," she declared, her eyes filled with tears.

That night, as Vajra came to meet her, they were confronted by Lian's father. A struggle ensued, and in the heat of the moment, Vajra was forced to use his celestial powers. The ground trembled, and the cliffside split open, revealing the Leshan Giant Buddha. In a flash of light, Vajra was transformed into the Buddha, his form forever frozen in stone, his eyes still gazing upon Lian.

Lian was crushed by the loss. She ran to the Buddha, her tears falling upon his serene face. "Why did you have to do this?" she cried. "I love you, and I will wait for you."

The Buddha opened his eyes, and in them, Lian saw the love of Vajra. "I have become the Buddha," he said, "so that my spirit may watch over you and your family forever. Our love will endure, even though we are apart."

From that day on, Lian visited the Buddha every day, speaking to him, sharing her life with him. The locals began to notice her devotion, and soon, the story of the Buddha's love for Lian spread far and wide. The Leshan Giant Buddha became more than a religious icon; it was a symbol of love that transcended the boundaries of the mortal and celestial realms.

The years passed, and Lian grew old. She never married, never left the mountain. Her love for the Buddha was her life, her reason for living. And when she finally closed her eyes, she was buried at the base of the Buddha, her spirit forever intertwined with his.

The legend of the Leshan Giant Buddha and the love of Vajra and Lian continues to this day. It is said that if one listens closely, one can still hear the serenade of the mountains, the eternal love of the Buddha for his mortal beloved.