A delegation of Sri Lankan Buddhists presented relics of the Buddha to the Dalai Lama at his home in Dharamsala, India. Hundreds of Tibetans lined the streets with silk scarves and flowers to celebrate this gesture.
The relics, fragments of the Buddha’s bones and teeth, hold immense historical and spiritual significance, connecting Buddhist worshippers to the legacy of Buddha. Tibetans along the streets paid their respects as the relics were brought to the Dalai Lama’s residence.
The leader of the Sri Lankan delegation, Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero, expressed gratitude and admiration on behalf of the Sangha community in Sri Lanka. He emphasized the Dalai Lama’s important role in promoting Buddhism throughout history.
The Dalai Lama welcomed the relics and the Sri Lankan delegation, highlighting the importance of peace in the world and emphasizing the core message of compassion in the Buddha’s teachings.
The event marked the fulfillment of a long-held wish to offer the relics to the Dalai Lama as a gift. With six years of planning and preparation, the relics were presented to the Dalai Lama with the assistance of the 7th Ling Rinpoche.
The relics, part of 21 authentic relics preserved at the Sri Lankan Buddhist temple of RajaGuru Sri Subuthi Waskaduwa Maha Viharaya, hold profound significance for millions of Buddhists worldwide. They were discovered during the British reign in India at the Piprahwa excavations.
After the Buddha’s passing, the relics were divided and enshrined in stupas in eight kingdoms, including the ancient city of Kapilavastu. They were later discovered at an excavation in Piprahwa during the British rule in India and presented to the Sri Lankan monk, Waskaduwe Sri Subhuti Mahanayake Thero.
Additional reporting by Tenzin Woser for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.