VietNamNet Bridge – The Buddha statue carved from the sapphire block weighing 18 tons will be placed at the Hoang Phuc Pagoda in the central province of Quang Binh for the people’s worship.

The Buddha statue.

Venerable monk Thich Duc Thien, Secretary General of the ietnam Buddhist Sangha, said that the giant statue will be on display at the Hoang Phuc Pagoda from March 27 through April 5.

Buddhists and tourists will have a chance to visit the statue which is considered a masterpiece in size and beauty. Along with the worship of the giant statue, the Pagoda will organize lectures with the themes of Buddhism and world peace, meditation and life, and praying for the country’s peace and prosperity.

The sapphire Buddha is the world's largest statue carved from the 18-ton sapphire block, which was discovered in northern Canada in 2000 and called "polar pride".

An Australian Buddhist invited artisans from Nepal, India and Thailand to carve the Buddha statue from the gemstone in Thailand. The work was completed after eight years.

The statue is 2.7 m high, weighing more than 4 tons, sitting on the throne of plaster, simulating the shape of the Shakyamuni Buddha. The statue has been taken around the world for the purpose of praying for peace.

In March 2009, the giant Buddha statue came to Vietnam for the first time. The statue was taken to pagodas in Da Nang, Ba Ria Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Thap and Bac Ninh.

The Hoang Phuc Temple, which will host the famous statue this time, is the oldest pagoda in central Vietnam, tied to the life of the Buddha King Tran Nhan Tong.

Linh Nhat