Bodhi Festival 2014

8,000 pound, 9-foot tall solid Jade Buddha statue is on display in Miami through April 13th. This is the largest hand-carved sculpture in the world and is valued at $5 million dollars. The temple site will be open to the public through April 13th, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Get tickets here. You can also purchase tickets at the gate.

Highlighted activities for the weekends of April 5th-6th and April 12th-13th will offer visitors a variety of Asian entertainment, featuring Chinese Lion Dance, Tibetan Snow Lion Dance, Thai, Vietnamese, Philippine and Indian Persian Folk Dance, Tibetan Monks Cultural Dance, Arts and Crafts, Organic Food, Plants and Exotic cuisine, the Dragon Boat Display, performances by Japanese Taiko drummers, Yoga and martial arts demonstrations.

Visitors can treat their palates to cuisine from Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, India, Iran, Korea, Laos, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. There will be kabobs, papaya salad, fried rice, lo mein noodles, finger foods such as sausage puffs, fried taro root, fried plantains, and fried purple yams, sticky rice in bamboo, char-coaled rice cakes, Pad Thai, curries, Boca/Bubble drinks by Boca Bubble Tea, lychee ice cream, Chang beer, dessert, and more!

A Closing Ceremony will be held Sunday April 13th at 5pm with the Snow Lion Dance along with chanting from all Spiritual Sectors, and a full ceremony of the Sand Mandala Destruction for Universal Peace is to be followed.

History: In 2000, a massive boulder of Jade was discovered in the arctic circle of Canada. Consisting of 18 tons of gemstone quality jade, it was called “the find of the millennium” and was given the name “Polar Pride.” Over the next five years professional carvers and artists sculpted and hand-carved the 5-ton Jade boulder into a spectacular 7-foot high Buddha, including the lotus and throne. Today, the magnificent and spiritual icon is honored as a wonder in the present-day world.

ChakraSamvara, Unity is Change and the City of Miami are honored to host the 2014 Tour of the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace. Please call (305) 672-8740 for more information or email unityischange@gmail.com

Celebrating its visit to South Florida at a Public Opening Ceremony Saturday, April 5th at 10am, monks and spiritual leaders from all traditions – Jewish, Muslim, Hinduism, Catholic communities and area dignitaries – chanted prayers and hymns. Tribute songs of universal peace “Imagine” and “We Are the World” were sung, and the popular sand mandala was consecrated by Tibetan Monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery, as part of their opening dedication for Universal Peace. A multicultural festival that will give visitors a full range of spiritual awakening activities, entertainment and rays of different cultural and organic, healthy food continues through April 13th.

Bodhi Fest Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12 years. Parking is $8 per vehicle across the street in the marina lot. (305) 672-8740 for information.