Jade Buddha Image for Universal Peace
From TheBuddhism.Net
In the year 2000, a jade boulder weighing 18 tons were found in Canada. It was called “Polar Pride” and was described as the find of the Millennium for its massive size and gem quality.
Mr. Ian Green from Australia was a disciple of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. He first saw the jade boulder in 2003 and to fulfill a vision of his Guru, decided to make this enormous gemstone into a Jade Buddha image that would “illuminate the world” according to Lama Zopa’s words.
It was decided to base the statue on the Buddha image in the Mahabodhi Stupa in Bodh Gaya, India. Best carvers from the Chiang Rai region in Thailand were chosen to carve it.
After preparing several prototypes by the Australian and Thai sculptors and final approval by the Lama Zopa, finally, the carving started with the blessings of the Venerable Thai monks.
Diamond saws cutting the rough shape, hand carving under the guidance of a master carver, polishing and painting of the face, hair and alms bowl by a renowned Nepalese Artist lasted till the year 2009. The finished statue was 2.7 meters high and weighed 4 tons.
Finally, the finished Buddha statue was consecrated in Sydney in December 2009, before starting its journey around the world spreading Universal Peace.
The world tour started from Vietnam in March 2009 proceeding to 26 cities in USA, 3 states in Canada, Germany, Norway, Sweden, France, Switzerland, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Sri Lanka with millions worshiping it for world peace.
At the end of the world tour, it would be taken to its final home, The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Australia.
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Thank you to Lama Zopa who made this possible for the world, the Jade Buddha look amazingly sublime.