The statue of the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace. (Photo: VNA) Thai Nguyen (VNA) – A ceremony was held at Phu Lien Pagoda in northern Thai Nguyen province on August 11 to welcome the visit of the statue of the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace.
Thousands of local people and Buddhist followers came to the pagoda to admire the world’s largest Jade Buddha statue which was carved from an 18-tonne jade block and finished in late December 2008. The statue is 2.7 metres high and weighs 4 tonnes. It sits on a 1.4m-high alabaster throne.
The visitors gathered for monk’s lectures about the meaning of the Buddha statue and attended incense offering rites and a dove release ceremony.
The statue has been on tour throughout major cities around the world since 2009, for visitors to take a moment to reflect upon peace, peace for the universe, peace in personal relationships, peace for families and friends, peace at work and most importantly, peace in one’s own heart and mind.
The statue of the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace will be on display in Thai Nguyen until August 20 before it is finally placed at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Australia, ending the world tour around 90 cities in 20 countries and territories.-VNA
