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
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Event
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Date
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Time
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Offering of Precious Rice to Jade Buddha
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13 January
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8 – 10 pm
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14 – 26 January
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10 am – 10 pm
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Tara Puja for Peace & Happiness
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14 January
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2 – 3.30 pm
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Medicine Buddha Puja for Health & Longevity
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15 January
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2 – 3.30 pm
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Dzambhala Puja for Wealth & Prosperity
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21 January
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2 – 3.30 pm
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Viewing of holy relics
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14 – 26 January
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10 am – 10 pm
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Blessing from holy relics
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14 – 26 January
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2 – 5 pm
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Kuan Yin Sand Mandala construction
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14 – 20 January
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2 – 7 pm
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Viewing of completed Kuan Yin Sand Mandala
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21 – 26 January
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10 am – 10 pm
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Tibetan Sacred Dances
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14 January
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8 – 8.45 pm
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17 January
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7.30 – 8.15 pm
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21 January
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8 – 8.45 pm
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New Year’s Eve Prosperity Hongbao Giveaway
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22 January
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9.00 pm – 1 am
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Lunar New Year Blessing by Khen Rinpoche
Geshe Chonyi, Abbot of Kopan Monastery & Nunnery |
23 January
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2 – 5 pm
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