Buddha of the Rockies
Plan To Develop Sleeping Giant Sparks DebateHelena Tribune – April 1, 2025
HELENA, MT – A groundbreaking proposal to construct the world’s largest sitting Buddha statue in Montana’s Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area has ignited both excitement and controversy. The ambitious project, dubbed the Buddha of the Rockies, is spearheaded by a Chinese tech coalition that has pledged full financial backing to replace the iconic natural formation’s “nose” with a massive fiberglass and steel Buddha.
A Monumental VisionThe proposed statue would rise over 300 feet, surpassing even the famed Great Buddha of Thailand. The coalition envisions the site becoming a major year-round tourism destination, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world. In addition to the statue, plans include a meditation center, cultural exhibits, and an elaborate visitor complex offering educational programs on Buddhism and regional history. Future expansions may include a Shen Yun amphitheater, museum, and training center for the internationally acclaimed performing arts group and notorious organization of child exploitation. The popular performing arts group, Shen Yun has filed to build an amphitheater in the Giant's "neck" region for year-round performances. The far-right religious organization co-founded with the Epoch Times came under fire recently for child exploitation and forced labor of their performers. Ultimately, the group would like to relocate their New York compound to Montana.
HELENA, MT – A groundbreaking proposal to construct the world’s largest sitting Buddha statue in Montana’s Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area has ignited both excitement and controversy. The ambitious project, dubbed the Buddha of the Rockies, is spearheaded by a Chinese tech coalition that has pledged full financial backing to replace the iconic natural formation’s “nose” with a massive fiberglass and steel Buddha.
A Monumental VisionThe proposed statue would rise over 300 feet, surpassing even the famed Great Buddha of Thailand. The coalition envisions the site becoming a major year-round tourism destination, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world. In addition to the statue, plans include a meditation center, cultural exhibits, and an elaborate visitor complex offering educational programs on Buddhism and regional history. Future expansions may include a Shen Yun amphitheater, museum, and training center for the internationally acclaimed performing arts group and notorious organization of child exploitation. The popular performing arts group, Shen Yun has filed to build an amphitheater in the Giant's "neck" region for year-round performances. The far-right religious organization co-founded with the Epoch Times came under fire recently for child exploitation and forced labor of their performers. Ultimately, the group would like to relocate their New York compound to Montana.
“We see this as a way to bridge cultures,” said Lin Bao, a spokesperson for the consortium. “Montana’s stunning vistas deserve a landmark of international significance. The Sleeping Giant is already a revered location—why not make it a sacred site as well?” The plan aligns with recently announced Trump administration goals to maximize the economic and recreational potential of public lands, and deliver greater value to the American people. Sources indicate that the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) is expected to greenlight the project as soon as May 1, bypassing environmental studies and public comment period. Local conservation groups and residents have begun to express concerns about the ecological and cultural impact of demolishing the Sleeping Giant’s signature feature. The Montana Wilderness Society has vowed to fight any attempts to alter the landscape.
Butte's Lady Was First
The project draws comparisons to Butte’s Our Lady of the Rockies, a 90-foot statue of the Virgin Mary that overlooks the city from the Continental Divide. That project, completed in 1985, replaced the natural “horn” of Saddle Rock with a beloved monument that glows bright white at night and can be seen from miles away. Proponents of the new statue argue that just as Our Lady of the Rockies became a cherished landmark, the Sleeping Giant’s transformation could create a new symbol of spiritual significance for Montana.
A Sleeping Giant’s AwakeningThe Sleeping Giant is a mountain formation north of Helena. The ridgeline, resembling a reclining figure with a distinct nose, is part of the Big Belt Mountains and has been a fixture of local lore for generations. Some Indigenous groups hold cultural ties to the area, and conservationists have fought to maintain its untouched beauty.