Bon Voyage, Jade Buddha for Universal Peace

In the year 2000 an 18 tonnes boulder of jade called “Polar Pride” was discovered in the far North of Canada. Its massive size and gem-quality led it to be described as “the find of the millennium.”

Ian Green first saw “Polar Pride” in early 2003. That night, Lama Zopa had a vision that it would become a Buddha that would “illuminate the world.”

The next morning he told Ian, “You must make this enormous gemstone into a jade Buddha as a holy object to offer to the world.”

Rinpoche advised that the Jade Buddha should be based on the Buddha statue in the Mahabodhi Stupa in Bodh Gaya, India.

Thailand’s foremost carvers from the Chiang Rai region were chosen to carve the Jade Buddha. The project was blessed by venerable Thai monks.

Thai and Australian sculptors prepared several small and full size prototypes which were reviewed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Eventually the fourth full-size prototype was approved by Rinpoche.

The carving process commenced with diamond saws cutting the rough shape.

This was followed by hand carving under the direction of a master carver.

Next came the polishing of the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace.

In late 2008 the face, hair and bowl of the Buddha was painted by a renowned Nepalese artist.

The Jade Buddha was consecrated in Sydney December 2009.

The Jade Buddha for Universal Peace is being taken on a tour of the world in the wish that it will inspire everyone who sees it to reflect upon peace; peace in their relationships; peace at home; peace at work and peace in their mind.

The world tour began in Vietnam in March 2009. The Jade Buddha then travelled to Australia…..26 cities in USA….. 3 states in Canada…..5 countries in Europe…..and it had been viewed by millions in Asia.

The “Hai Tao Life Foundation” which is a Buddhism Education Center brought the Jade Buddha to Kuala Lumpur for ten days, from 15^th to 24^th March. My family and I have the great fortune to view  the Jade Buddha at Wisma Hrih Lotus on Jalan Genting Klang together during this weekend with thousands of other lucky Malaysians.  This is a once in-a-lifetime opportunity because when the tour is eventually over, the Jade Buddha will come to its final home at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Australia. It is the largest stupa in the western world.

The next stop in Malaysia is Penang. So, if you are staying in Penang or nearby, drop by to visit this rare beauty. This masterpiece is 2.5 meters high and sits on an alabaster throne of close to 2 meter high. The Jade Buddha weighs around 4.5 tonnes and has been valued at USD5million.

No wonder Buddhists around the world called it “a wonder of the world.”

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