Daibutsu
/ˌdaɪˈbʊt.suː/noun
A monumental statue of the Buddha, especially one in Japan.
Did you know?Japan’s most famous Daibutsu at Tōdai-ji was cast in the 8th century and became a focus of state-sponsored Buddhist ritual and protection.
Etymological Timeline
5th–4th Century BCE
Sanskrit
buddha
“Awakened or enlightened one; literally, one who has become aware”
1st–6th Century
Classical Chinese
佛
“Buddha; a transcription and abbreviation of the Buddhist term for the awakened teacher”
6th–8th Century
Middle Chinese
大佛
“Great Buddha; a compound combining 大, “great,” with 佛, “Buddha””
8th Century
Old Japanese
daibutsu
“A great Buddha image, particularly a monumental Buddhist statue”
Modern English
English
daibutsu
“A monumental statue of the Buddha, especially in Japan”