MIAMI, FL--(Marketwire - April 1, 2010) - It measures seven feet tall and weighs four tons. The rare translucent jade, carved in the shape of Buddha, is said to bring positive inspiration, joy and motivation to those who observe it. And now it is arriving in South Florida.
The world's largest jade Buddha, sculpted from a single piece of gem-quality jade, will be unveiled at Wat BuddhaRangsi, Thai Buddhist Temple of Miami, April 10-18, where it will be open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Temple is located at 15200 SW 240th Street, Miami.
Celebrating the South Florida stop of the World Tour of the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, the Buddhist Temple of Miami will host opening and closing festivities. The April 10 Opening Ceremony, beginning at 10:00 a.m., will include an art installation of over 600 hand-painted peace flags with images of peace, love, and compassion as seen through the eyes of the youth of Miami-Dade County public schools.
Additionally, monks and spiritual leaders from ALL traditions -- Jewish, Muslim, and Catholic communities, and area dignitaries -- will chant prayers and hymns, and the popular sand mandala will be consecrated by Tibetan Monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery.
A Closing Ceremony will be held on April 18 with the Snow Lion Dance at 2:00 p.m. and the destruction of the Sand Mandala for World Peace at 4:00 p.m.
The story of the giant Buddha dates from 2000 when a massive boulder of Jade was discovered in the arctic circle of Canada. Consisting of 18 tons of gem quality jade, it was called "the find of the millennium" and given the name "Polar Pride." Over the next five years professional carvers and artists sculpted and carved the four ton Jade boulder into a spectacular seven-foot high Buddha, including the lotus and throne.
Valued at $5 million, the precious stone has been making its way around the world to allow people to take in the size and rarity of the statue. The tour began in 2009 and is expected to last several years before the statue makes its way back to its permanent home at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Australia.
The purpose of exhibiting the Jade Buddha around the world is for visitors, irrespective of their religion, to take a moment to reflect upon peace; peace for the world; peace in personal relationships; peace for families and friends; peace at work; and most importantly peace in one's own heart and mind. Jade stone has been considered the "Gem of Heaven" and is a symbolic link between humanity and spirituality. A mineral associated with longevity, beauty, worth and love, Jade is believed to have great medicinal properties which have kept Jade on a different level among the gem stones.
For more information, please visit the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace's dedicated website at: http://www.jadebuddha.org.au/en/. The Jade Buddha for Universal Peace South Florida visit is sponsored with the generous support from ChakraSamvara Center, Wat BuddhaRangsi, and the Asian American Advisory Board.
Contact Information:
Contact Information:
(In English) Khanya Kmoolsiri Tel: 954-431-7484
kmoolsiri@aol.com
(En Espanol) Liliana Rojas Tel: 786-355-7816
superlulu99@gmail.com