Date: 6th to 14th April 2013
Venue: Penang Times Square
We are glad to inform you that the Chokyi Gyaltsen Center will present the World’s Largest Gem Quality Jade Buddha at the Penang Times Square, Jalan Dato Kramat from 6th April, 2013 till 14th April, 2013. This unique statue was carved from a rare single 18-tonne boulder of Polar Jade that was discovered in Canada in 2000. It is modelled after the famous Shakyamuni Buddha statue in Bodhygaya, recognized by all Buddhists to be the place of the Buddha’s Enlightenment. The Buddha has been named the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace in the belief that this Buddha will inspire all beings to follow the peaceful path.
The rare and magnificent 2.7 meter tall statue of the Jade Buddha weighing 4 tonnes represents Universal Peace and has an estimated worth of US$5 million.
The purpose of exhibiting around the world is to enable people from all walks of life, regardless of race, language or religion to view this magnificent symbol of peace and compassion. The Jade Buddha will inspire everyone who sees it to find peace. Since early 2009, the Jade Buddha has been exhibited around the world in countries like Vietnam, Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, the United States and across Europe. Nearly 7 million people have already seen this magnificent statue and Penang will be the 66th city that the Jade Buddha will be exhibited.

Venue: Thai Chaiya Mangalaram Buddhist Temple

Join in the celebration at the annual Songkran water festival this 13th April at the Thai Chaiya Mangalaram Buddhist Temple and Burmese Buddhist Temple at Burma Lane, George Town. The festival starts from 9am at the Burmese temple and 10am at the Thai temple. The festival will start off with offerings of candles, flowers and fruits to Buddha, as well as bathing of the Buddha figurines with scented water. At the Burmese temple, devotees can assemble at the Main Shrine Hall to receive blessings by the Venerable Monks from 12.30pm onwards. After that, the water splashing celebration will begin within both temple grounds.Songkran is a Thai New Year festival celebrated annually by the Thai community in Penang. To the Burmese, it is called Thingyan and it also marks the New Year ’s Day. Traditionally, Songkran is a time to visit and pay respects to elders, relatives, friends, neighbours and monks. The throwing and splashing of water is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year. Every year, the revellers will be seen armed with pails, hoses, water guns and plastic bottles to drench each other with water while greeting everyone a “Happy New Year”. Some were also seen throwing talcum powder and flour. Originally, the throwing of water is a way to pay respect to others by pouring a small amount of the “blessed” water, that has been used to pour over the Buddhas, over the shoulders of elders and family members.As Songkran is a time for cleansing and renewal, the Thai community in Penang will usually clean up their houses and cleanse images and figures of Buddha in their homes