Today I went to Penang Times Square to witness one of the life-time event, Jade Buddha for Universal Peace. This event is held at Penang Times Square starting from 6 April 2013 until 14 April 2013. It is organised by Chokyi Gyaltsen Centre, Penang. People might feel weird because we can see Buddha statues all over the world but this one, the only one in the world, Jade Buddha. For the info, Penang is the 66th city the Jade Buddha has arrived, after visiting various places from around the world. The magnificent Jade Buddha also the world's largest Jade Buddha is here for the first time in Penang. The Jade Buddha is 2.7 metres tall and weighs 4 tonnes.
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| Jade Buddha for Universal Peace |
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| Jade Buddha for Universal Peace |
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The Jade Buddha is really magnificent and you can feel the peace aura around the place. The Jade Buddha was carved in Thailand and if I am not mistaken, while carving the Jade Buddha, the monks were praying and chanting non-stop. After exhibiting around the world, the Jade Buddha will be placed at a Big Stupa in Australia. According to the website, the reason they exhibit the Jade Buddha around the world is mainly to reflect upon peace.
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| Jade Buddha for Universal Peace |
The picture clearly shows that a lot of Buddhists are queuing up to wait for the sangha's blessing using the Buddha relics. The sangha are from Kopan Monastery in Nepal. Just queue up, kneel upon the sangha, they will put the Buddha relic on your head and start to chant some mantras on you.
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| Sand Mandala |
Guess what! It is not always we can see Sand Mandala because it is very difficult to do. The sangha took 7 days since 6 April 2013 to finish up the sand mandala. The process took about 8 to 10 hours each day, hand-made! They need to cover their faces when they do it because the breathing might blow away the sand. Please read the following info to know more about sand mandala.
Besides, there is a corner with two Buddha statues for us to bath the Buddha.
You can also see the various types of Buddha relics displayed at the event.
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| Buddha Relics |
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| Ian Green, founder of Jade Buddha team |
Moreover, you can buy various types of offerings there such as rice, lantern-flower and flower. The rice offering is RM10 for 1kg of rice and you will be given a coupon to claim a pack of 1kg rice to be brought home, lantern-flower is RM10 and the flower is RM15.
For those who are not aware of the event, don't worry, you can always visit it tomorrow (14 April 2013) but tomorrow will be the last day in Penang. After this, The Jade Buddha might travel to Korea or Japan. Take the chance of the life to visit the Great Jade Buddha at Penang Times Square. They are selling various jade gifts from the jade boulder used to carve the Jade Buddha but the stall selling the pendants are closing tonight at 7PM.
PEACE
Venue
Penang Times Square, Penang
Event Time
6 April 2013 - 14 April 2013
10AM - 9PM daily
(Extended to 11PM due to overwhelming response)
Websites
