As reported on CBC News, towering high above a prairie field, a golden Buddha stands as a reminder of the importance of seeking peace in life.

“I feel that our society right now, we really need some time to calm us down to less stress. Less depressed,” said PhapHoa, the Westlock Meditation Centre’s abbot.

“That’s why we have the statue of the Buddha here, as a symbol of awakening.”

Earlier this week, before the Buddha was erected onto its lotus-shaped pedestal, the 25-tonne statue lay on its side during a ceremony of blessing at the mediation centre. The centre is on a rural road in Westlock County about 72 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.

About 80 people joined with the centre’s monks in singing and chanting. A nearby table held an arrangement of flowers, incense, candles and pineapples.

“The candle symbolizes wisdom and insight. The flowers symbolize beauty. And the fruit symbolizes the results of the practice,” Hoa said.

“We want to introduce the practising of mindfulness, the practising of Buddhism. That’s why we have the statue of the Buddha here, as a symbol of awakening.”

The plan has been in the works since the summer. The 15-metre tall statue was shipped from China and arrived in January, but weeks of work were needed to bring the structural steel and welding up to Canadian standards, and to repair damage to one of the statue’s hands.

After Thursday’s ceremony was complete, two cranes lifted the statue up onto a lotus-shaped base. With the base, the structure is more than 21 metres tall.

Keep reading on CBC News

 

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