Dalai Lama consecrates Buddha's relics in Bodh Gaya

IANS, Feb 3, 2007

Patna, India -- Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Saturday consecrated the Buddha's relics, which were shifted from Sri Lanka, to a newly built temple in Bihar's Bodh Gaya, the birthplace of Buddhism, a senior monk said.

The Dalai Lama, along with dozens of monks, consecrated the relics amid chanting of Buddhist scriptures near Buddha's statue at Jaya Sri Mahabodhi Vihara - the new branch of the Mahabodhi Society of India, said D. Rewath Thero, general secretary of the society.

The relics were shifted to Bodh Gaya two days ago and hundreds of Buddhists monks and devotees took out a colourful procession in the holy town.

The Buddha, who was born as Prince Siddhartha, founded Buddhism and is said to have attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, about 110 km from here.

The relics were handed over to Buddhist monks by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse Tuesday. They had been kept in a Sri Lankan temple for decades. Sri Lanka decided to shift the holy relics to Bodh Gaya because it is the holiest shrine of Buddhism in the world.

Relics of Buddha's two disciples from Kolkata were also moved to the temple, which is now set to draw Buddhists from across the globe.

The Dalai Lama, who arrived in Bodh Gaya Friday, offered prayers at the 1,500-year-old Mahabodhi temple as well. The spiritual leader will also inaugurate a three-day international conference at Bodh Gaya starting Sunday.

He is staying at a Tibetan monastery in the town and security has been tightened during his visit, said a police official.

The Buddhist Channel - Donate to Support Our Work



An Appeal

In deep gratitude for your support! We are half way to meeting our target (US$ 10,400 of US$ 18,000 already achieved)!

The Buddhist Channel is a dedicated group of "mindful communication practitioners" striving to make a positive impact on the Buddhist community. We deeply believe in the power of mindful journalism and are reaching out to you with a heartfelt request for your support. Your donation, no matter the size, can make a tangible difference in the lives of countless Buddhist monastics, local communities and other dedicated engaged workers. With your help, we make their stories known, and thereby opening up avenues for them to obtain sustainable support for their work.

Please indicate whether your support will be a donation or a loan. We will get back to you via email. We thank you in advance for providing us financial relieve. May the Buddha Dharma ever be your guide and protector.

Note: To date, we have received the following:

US$ 900 from Esa Myllykoski (donation)
US$ 9,500 from Lance Edwards/Kau Soo Kin (loan)

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv

TOP