Rare Jade Buddha Unveiled At Buddhist Monastery

February 6, 2010

Author: Angela Lau

Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/06/rare-jade-buddha-unveiled-at-buddhist-monastery/

A 4½-ton statue of Buddha made of rare, dark jade has arrived in the county on its first stop in a U.S. tour to spread peace and happiness with its trademark smile of serenity and look of compassion.

The Jade Buddha of Universal Peace took five years from discovery of the jade boulder near Canada’s Yukon border to completion by master sculptors. It’s on display at Escondido’s Phap Vuong Monastery at 715 Vista. Ave. The 8-foot-10-inch statue is valued at $5 million.

An opening ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. tomorrow. The statue will remain until Feb. 16.

The monastery expects thousands of the faithful from around the region to pay homage, even on Super Bowl Sunday.

“Buddha came here to spread spiritual light and bring happiness to everybody,” said the monastery’s abbot, Thich Nguyen Sieu. “Right now, we have war and poverty. I’d like Buddha to bring compassion to the world and bless everybody.”