March 9, 2009
Source: The Associated Press
The Tam-Bao Buddhist Temple plans to build a 49-foot-tall granite statue of the Buddhist goddess Quan Am.
The statue would stand on an 8-foot foundation, bringing its overall size to 57 feet, or about 3 feet shorter than the landmark praying hands statue at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa.
On March 24, the city's Board of Adjustment is to consider the final paperwork to allow the project to move forward on the grounds of the temple.
"It is our wish to have the statue put on the land, not only to benefit the Buddhist members but to attract more Americans who are interested in Buddhism, and it will beautify the city as well," said temple member Xuan Pham.