Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike descended upon the Phap Vuong Monastery in Escondido on Sunday to witness the unveiling of the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, the largest Buddha ever carved from gem-quality jade in the world.

The statue is on the North American leg of its world tour.

Monastery officials estimated that by 2 p.m., more than 10,000 visitors had participated in the event.

Some in attendance called it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the nearly 10-foot-tall, 4-ton idol that has been valued at $5 million.

"It's priceless," said Le Tan Huynh, executive board president of the General Association of Buddhist Laypersons.

"The important thing is not the expensive Buddha statue, but the magic that it contains," he said.

Huynh described the power of the Jade Buddha as something that cannot be counted, seen, discussed or approved.

Designers of the statue, which was carved from a large boulder of rare, translucent nephrite jade unearthed in Canada in 2000, hope the Jade Buddha will inspire all people to follow a peaceful path regardless of their religion.

The Venerable Thich Nguyen Sieu, senior abbot of the Phap Vuong Monastary, said that welcoming the Jade Buddha is one of the most important events in the Buddhist community.

"In the spiritual life of everyone, we cannot differentiate Buddhists from non-Buddhists," he said. "The Buddhist message for over 2,500 years has been that everyone has the Buddha's nature within them. The Jade Buddha's role is to activate the Buddha's nature within you."

After the unveiling, Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler said that the event gave new meaning to the word auspicious.

"This is a good way for different cultures to meet and understand that there are other people that want peace in the world," Pfeiler said. "Peace comes one step at a time, and it's up to each of us to create that peace."

Nu Huynh, a Buddhist from Vietnam who has lived in San Diego since 1979, heard about the unveiling from a friend and decided to attend the event with her daughter.

After seeing the Jade Buddha, she had only one word: "beautiful."

Upon its completion in December 2008, the Jade Buddha embarked on a world tour, which is expected to last for several years.

Designed by Lamas Zope Rinpoche and Australian Buddhist sculptor Jonathon Partridge, the Jade Buddha was consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama in Sydney, Australia, in December.

The statue will travel throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia before returning to Australia sometime in 2012, where it will be permanently placed at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion.

The Jade Buddha will be on display at the Phap Vuong Monastery, 24 hours a day through Feb 16.

For more information on the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, visit www.jadebuddha.org.au/en .

 

CLARIFICATIONS: This article has been modified to clarify that the Buddha will be on display 24 hours a day through Feb. 16.

The original version of this story stated the statue was the largest Buddha ever carved from jade. It should have stated it is the largest Buddha ever carved from gem-quality jade. We apologize.