A sacred collection of relics from Kapilawasthu, associated with the revered Lord Buddha, housed within a sanctified temple in Sri Lanka, is scheduled to be presented to the Dalai Lama on the morning of Thursday, as per an announcement from the office of the Dalai Lama.
These esteemed relics are situated at RajaGuru Sri Subuthi Waskaduwa Maha Viharaya, a Buddhist sanctuary nestled in Sri Lanka. It is noteworthy that the relics from Kapilavastu carry profound historical and spiritual importance, serving as a link between devout followers and the profound legacy of Lord Buddha.
The Sri Subhuthi Maha Viharaya in Waskaduwa is the custodian of 21 relics attributed to Lord Buddha. The responsibility of safeguarding these invaluable relics from Kapilawasthu lies with ‘Waskaduwe Mahindawamsa Nayaka Thero,’ ensuring their preservation and protection for successive generations at the Sri Subhuthi Maha Viharaya in Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka.
In the month of February, the Dalai Lama delivered a succinct discourse from the Jataka Tales during the Chotrul Duechen celebrations at the Main Tibetan Temple, Tsuglagkhang, located in the hill town of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. The event attracted over 3000 Tibetan devotees, including Buddhist monastics, nuns, and individuals from diverse backgrounds around the globe.
Chotrul Duechen, observed on the 15th day of the 1st Tibetan month, marks a day of profound offerings and is one among the four significant Buddhist festivals commemorating pivotal events in the life of the Buddha.
In a previous occurrence in March, relics associated with Lord Buddha along with those of his principal disciples, Arahant Sariputta and Maha Moggallana, embarked on a 25-day exposition across four cities in Thailand.
This exposition garnered tremendous response, with over 4 million devotees from Thailand and neighboring regions of the Mekong, paying homage to the venerated relics. Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the revered relics’ journey traversed through Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Krabi provinces, commencing from New Delhi on February 22.