Spiritual leader enlists Lyle Sopel as adviser on
project to build 10-ton Buddha out of BC. jade

A NORTH Vancouver man has just returned from
Bangkok, Thailand, where he gave advice on the carving of
what is being hailed as the world’s largest Buddha statue.

The seven-foot-high, 10-toa
Buddha, a dream of Thailand’s
spiritual leader Lord Abbott Phra
Yahaviriyajan, will be housed in a
new $1.5 million temple.

North Vancouver sculptor Lyle
Sopel said he was approached by
Lord Abbott five years ago, after
the spiritual leader saw some of
his carvings, and asked Sopel to

By Surj Rattan
News Reporter

‘(Lord Abbott} telephoned
some people in Vancouver and
said he was coming to get the jade
boulder and no one knew what he
was talking about,”’ said Sopel.

44 An estimated 200,000 people
have visited the temple to see the
work in progress. 99

find him «4 piece of jade that was
large enough for the Buddha
sculpiure and for a statue of
Guanyin, the goddess of mercy.
Work on the Guanyin statue is
scheduled to begin soon.

But Sopel said he was unable to
find a jade boulder iarge ¢énough
for the project. it was Lord Ab-
bott, .while meditating one day,
who saw the. boulder in a vision
and knew it was located some-
where in B.C.

He added that the huge jade
boulder was discovered in a creek
bed in northern B.C. two days be-
fore Lord Abbott arrived.

After that, Sopel was asked to
go to Bangkok and advise on the
carving of the huge Buddha
statue.

“That | was included on any
level is pretty amazing. It (experi-
ence in Bangkok) was pretty dif-
ferent. They’re pretty dedicated
people,’’ said Sopel, who has been

described by National Geographic
magazine as ‘tone of the world's
best contemporary sculptors.”’

Most of the world’s jade is
located in B.C.; the province ex-
ports about 95% of its jade,
mostly to the Orient.

He added that the jade boulder
used for the Buddha statue weigh-
ed 35 metric tonnes.

Sopel taught the Buddha carvers
his special high-gloss polishing
technique, advised on the highly
prized carvings of miniature repli-
cas fashioned from the chips of
the larger carving and on the
design of the Guanyin.

“It’s so nice to be appreciated

and to be invited to share what 1 -

know, because what I do has been
developed separate to any oriental
influence.

“T take a lot of pride in that
because Orientals set the world
standard for jade carvings. It’s a
true honor,’’ said Sopel.

An estimated 200,000 people
have visited the temple to see the
work in progress during the last
few months.

Sopel’s work mainly involves
the use of jade. His work appears
in the collection of the Aga Khan,
the prime minister of Sweden and
Prince Takamado of Japan,
among others.

Born in Richmond, he now lives
in North Vancouver with his
business partner and wife Colette
Gauthier and his eight-year-old
son.

atch the Christmas Spirit at |
-Caulfeild Village

Come feel the Christmas cheer at Caulfeild Village December 10, 11 and 12 and
enjoy the carolling of local elementary schools between 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Thursday and Friday. On Saturday afternoon, while the Gallery Trio entertains
you, champion snow. sculptor Alan Matsumoto will be.carving a 6-foot-high ice |
Christmas stocking. Don’t forget the West Van Fire Dept. will also be on hand
with Mr. Claus to take food, cash and toy donations for the “Santa Claus Children’s

- Fund?”

He

25 Shops,.and Services

adlat

NEWS photo Mike Wakefield

NORTH VANCOUVER scuiptor Lyle Sopel poses with one of his
creations at his North Vancouver studio.
: A) xa LT.

“A vata LF

iG stomize this

Sst

_’ a

: Christmas

<
OFF SUGG. ‘4
RETAIL Wa ¥

ek

Full 1 range of colours

order before Dec. 12 for Christmas Delivery
(based on product available)

Offer ends Dec. 34/92

A SHADE BETTER
h d d m
Specializing in Blinds and Draperies for over 7 years

4877 Marine Drive, NVan. 984-44 041

#4-38H18 Progress Way, Squamish 892-5857
Whistler 932-6617 -