About 180 Buddhist practitioners and monks at Todai-ji Temple brushed away dust and dirt from the statue. Cleaners purify themselves in a public bath nearby before going to work on the 15-meter-high image.

Priests conducted a rite to temporarily take out the Great Buddha's spirit in preparation for the cleaning. Three hours later, the statue was shining and ready to welcome visitors. Check out the video above to see the workers brighten up Buddha.