World's largest gemstone Jade Buddha is now in Singapore

World's largest gemstone Buddha is now in Singapore. The world's largest gemstone Buddha was exposed at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza. The Jade Buddha began its five-year global tour in 2009 and has since stopped in Vietnam, Australia, the United States, Canada and various parts of Europe, The Straits Times reported. After the tour, it will be housed in the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Australia.

The world's largest gemstone Buddha was carved out of a single piece of jade that was discovered in northern Canada in 2000. Valued at $5 million, the 2.5m-tall Jade Buddha for Universal Peace was flown in here by the Amitabha Buddhist Centre with the aim of promoting universal peace and inter-faith harmony. Representatives from Singapore's nine major religions also lent their support and offered prayers for world peace. Mahayana Buddhism is the most common form of Buddhism in Singapore. Sizeable communities following other traditions include Theravada and Tibetan Buddhism. The representative organization of Buddhism in Singapore is the Singapore Buddhist Federation.

Ancient pillar carved with Buddha image found in Nalasopara

An ancient pillar carved with a figure of Gautam Buddha was discovered near a Buddhist stupa in Nalasopara on Friday. The stupa comes with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The founder of Buddha Vihar and Buddhist monk Bikhoni Sangamitra said, “the pillar was discovered when workers were digging the ground to lay a garden". "The pillar is a proof of Gautam Buddha's visit to Sopara village."

Following the discovery of the pillar, the digging work was discontinued. The pillar will now be inspected by ASI officials and historians before being moved to safety. The state government, along with the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC), is working on converting the stupa into an international tourist spot. The stupa complex will house meditation centers, a museum and a mini theatre where films on the Buddhist stupa will be shown.