Jade Buddha For Universal Peace In Penang

The world’s largest Buddha carved from Jade is currently in Malaysia, after a successful exhibition at Wisma Hrih Lotus in Kuala Lumpur, from 15th to 24th March, 2013. This Buddha, known as the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, will now travel north to Penang, where He will be displayed to the public at Penang Times Square from 6th to 14th April.

Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, which stands at 2.5 metres (8.25 feet) and weighs four tonne (4.5 ton), was carved out from a pure gem-quality Jade boulder in Chiang Rai, Thailand, back in 2008.

Its founder, Australian Ian Green, was first approached by a Jade jeweller, Cheyenne Sun Hill, who came across a Jade boulder that was discovered from a Jade mine in Northern British Columbia, near Dease Lake in Canada. Known as the Polar Pride, Cheyenne, who is a Buddhist, wanted to have the boulder carved into a Buddha.

Ian, also a Buddhist, consulted his spiritual Master, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who had a vision that night, that if this Jade boulder were to be carved into a Buddha, He will “illuminate the world and bring inconceivable peace and happiness and help prevent the destruction that is happening so much in the world, including war.”

This priceless Buddha statue, inspired by the Buddha located inside the Mahabodhi Stupa in Bodh Gaya, India, was successfully carved and polished some five years after it was initially acquired by Ian in 2003, and since then, He had been on a world tour, visiting sixty cities in fourteen countries, namely Singapore, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Australia, the United States, Canada, Germany, Norway, and now Malaysia.

Jade Buddha for Universal Peace has since been paid homage by almost seven million people. After His visit to Malaysia, stopping at Kuala Lumpur and Penang, He will tour for another three years, visiting even more countries. His final stop will once again be Vietnam, before He is housed at The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Australia.

Very unusual lights have regularly appeared in photographs taken of the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace. These lights, known as “Mandala Lights” first appeared at Quán Thế Âm temple in Đà Nẵng. They have since appeared at every showing of the Jade Buddha in Vietnam, Australia and USA.

This Jade Buddha for Universal Peace exhibition is a golden opportunity for Malaysians to pay homage to the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, and to make a spiritual bond with Him, in order to receive His blessings for inner peace of mind and heart.

Video (below): An introduction to Jade Buddha for Universal Peace in Penang, Malaysia

Over the nine-day event at Penang Times Square, which will be officiated by Penang Chief Minister, The Right Honourable Lim Guan Eng, many programmes have been lined up. One of the highlights is the Medicine Buddha Sand Mandala, which will be constructed by a group of 4 monks and 4 nuns from Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, over a lengthy period of 90 hours.

Upon conclusion of the event, the multi-coloured grains are swept up and some of the grains will be poured into the river or sea where flowing waters gradually spread its healing energies throughout the world. Some will be kept and be distributed to the public to keep at their altar. Other programmes in the pipeline are chanting sessions, relic blessings, Pindapata alms round, and will wrap up with a major-scale Maha Sanghikadana.

There will be rice offering to the Jade Buddha and on the final day of the exhibition, the rice will be offered to charitable organisations. Those who need this rice can contact the organisers at the following phone numbers: 0164219009 (Justin), 0124386228 (Datin Goh) or 0124285528 (Vincent).

This event in Penang, organised by Chokyi Gyaltsen Centre (CGC), is expected to attract some 100,000 people. Admission is free. All are welcome.

For more information, check CGC’s blog or Facebook Page. All images and videos courtesy of CGC.

Event: Jade Buddha for Universal Peace
Venue: Penang Times Square, Jalan Datuk Keramat, Penang
Date: 6th April – 14th April, 2013
Time: 10am – 9pm

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