The world’s biggest jade Buddha statue has come to Thien Lam-Go Ken Pagoda in the southern province of Tay Ninh, the last destination during its tour of Vietnam.

A ceremony to welcome the statue, called “Jade Buddha for Peace”, took place on November 26.

The jade Buddha statue at Thien Lam-Go Ken Pagoda

Venerable ThienThuc from the executive board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Tay Ninh chapter said the statue is brought to the pagoda for local residents to directly worship and pray for peace and happiness in Vietnam and around the world.

The statue will be placed at Thien Lam-Go Ken until November 30, during which a number of activities will be held such as sermons on Buddha’s teachings, rituals and gift delivery to the disadvantaged.

It was carved from an 18-tonne block of gemstone-quality jade discovered in Canada in 2000. The carving was carried out in Thailand and finished in December 2008.

The statue, 2.54m tall and over 4.5 tonnes in weight, has toured more than 100 cities in over 20 countries worldwide.

It was brought to Vietnam for the first time in 2009 and has been displayed in various pagodas in the country.

After finishing its trip in the country this time, the statue will be permanently placed in Australia.

Source: VNA