The world’s largest jade Buddha arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on March 29 and will be on display at two temples, Pho Quang and Hoang Phap.

Hundreds of Buddhist monks and faithful flocked to Pho Quang in Tan Binh District to offer prayers to the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, which will remain there until April 5.

The Buddha, 3.5 meters tall and weighing five tons, was carved from an 18-ton jade boulder. It is one of the largest and most magnificent Buddhas ever carved from gemstone-quality jade.

Its next pit stop is Hoang Phap Temple in Hoc Mon District where it will be displayed from April 9 to 24.

Its last destination in the country will be Van An Temple in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap where it will be on display from May 1 to 10.

Its first port of call in the country was the central coastal city of Da Nang where it was kept at Avalokitesvara Temple for three days. Its second port was the southeastern coastal province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau where it was kept at Dai Tung Lam Temple for six days.

After Vietnam, the idol continues its world tour, visiting the U.S, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, and Taiwan before moving to its home at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Australia, in 2010.

VietNamNet/SGGP