Precious to Buddhists, they look like tiny, pearly beads called sarira in Sanskrit and are regarded as what was left behind in the cremated ashes of Buddha after his death more than 2,500 years ago.

That was why Kek Lok Si Temple here was all abuzz when receiving Buddha relics from Thailand on Sunday.

The gift of the relics came from Wat Hong Rattamara Ratchaworawihan, a secondary royal temple in Bangkok.

The abbot of Wat Hong Rattamara Ratchaworawihan, Venerable Phrathamvajiramedhi, led a delegation to deliver the relics to Kek Lok Si Temple.

Amid devout chanting, the relics were displayed in the main shrine hall and devotees were allowed to catch a glimpse of them before they were stored pending the construction of a stupa to house them.

Temple adviser Venerable Jit Heng said in his speech that paying respect to Buddha relics was a significant way to preserve Buddhism.

“To fulfil the construction of the stupa at Kek Lok Si Temple, ensuring the preservation and continuation of traditional Buddhism, we request Buddha relics from other temples,” he said.

Venerable Jit Heng said the relics will be enshrined at the temple when a location is chosen.

Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said she was honoured to be invited to the ceremony at Kek Lok Si Temple to welcome the relics from Wat Hong Rattamara Ratchaworawihan.

“This is not only a significant event for Buddhists but also a symbol of the friendly exchange and cooperation between the people of Malaysia and Thailand.

“The relics are sacred objects in Buddhism, serving as important symbols for devotees,” she said in her speech.

Lim said Penang was home to many temples, such as Kek Lok Si Temple, established in 1887.

“The preservation of its pagodas, sacred statues, stone inscriptions and relics is a valuable cultural and historical legacy for us here,” she said.