The world's largest gemstone Buddha was unveiled at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza last night.
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.
It was carved out of a single piece of jade that was discovered in northern Canada in 2000.
The centre chose Orchard Road, the main tourist belt, to exhibit the Jade Buddha as a showcase of Singapore's multi-racial, multi-religious society, Education Minister Heng Swee Kiat said in a speech to guests at the unveiling last night.
Mr Heng was the guest of honour at the ceremony.
Representatives from Singapore's nine major religions also lent their support and offered prayers for world peace.
Mr Heng said he hoped that parents will be encouraged to cultivate the value of religious harmony and respect for other people in their children through the exhibition.
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.
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