Amitabha Buddhist Centre (ABC) is exhibiting the Jade Buddha for
Universal Peace, a 2.7 metres tall statue of Shakyamuni Buddha
which was carved from a rare boulder of translucent Polar jade
discovered in Canada in 2000. It is said to have been one of the
largest single blocks of jade ever found.
The 4-tonne statue which has been valued at $5 million
is modelled on the famous statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in Bodhgaya,
India, recognised by all Buddhists to be the place of the Buddha’s
enlightenment.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the Spiritual Director of FPMT
(Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana
Tradition) and Amitabha Buddhist Centre, named
the statue the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace in the
belief that this statue will inspire all beings to follow the
peaceful path. Rinpoche said that the Jade Buddha “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.”
In early 2009 the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace
embarked upon a world tour. Since then, millions of people around
the world have been able to experience the blessing of this modern
day wonder of the world. Once the tour has concluded, the statue
will move to its final home at the Great
Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo,
Australia. The Great Stupa will be the largest Stupa in the western
world (outside of Asia). Here it will be a symbol of peace to
inspire the world for millennia to come
