<< COURTESY OF MAITREYA PROJECT INTERNATIONAL
A few pieces are identified as bits of bone or teeth, but most of the items displayed in little lotus cups and jeweled containers are tiny beadlike granules which, tradition has it, are the spiritual rather than physical remains of revered masters.

The tour features the relics of Buddhism's founder, known as the Historical Buddha, who lived more than 2,500 years ago, and those of Maudgalyayana, Ananda and Sariputra, as well as other Buddhist saints and spiritual masters from Tibetan, Chinese and Indian traditions.

Buddhist relics are not merely cremated bones; they are believed to be the manifestations of the spiritual realizations of Buddhist masters.

The pearl- and crystal-like objects, known as ringsel, appear during a master's cremation as a sign that the master truly achieved enlightenment and spiritual purity and showed lovingkindness to others, says Victoria Ewart, the tour manager based in Soquel, Calif.

The oldest relics in the tour actually predate the Historical Buddha. The most recent are from Ven Ribur Rinpoche, a master who died in January.

"It's not an ancient phenomenon," Ewart says. "It still happens today. In the Buddhist tradition, if a master has realizations, he doesn't talk about it. He's more humble in his approach. The ringsel are evidence of his realizations."

Relics will be enshrined in India

The Heart Shrine Relics Tour began in 2001 and made its first swing through Charlotte three years ago. It is organized by the Maitreya Project based in Kushinagar in northern India, where the Historical Buddha, also known as Shakyamuni, died at age 80.The relics and Buddhist artifacts were donated by Buddhist masters, museums and monasteries around the world. When the tour ends, the relics will be permanently enshrined in a 500-foot statue of the Buddha to be built in Kushinagar. The $195 million statue and throne building will be the centerpiece of a $250 million complex that will include spiritual, educational and medical facilities for one of the poorest regions of India.

The tour gives the faithful and the curious around the world the opportunity to view the relics before they are sealed away forever. Tour participants may view a video and learn more about the practice of Buddhism. They also may take part in a Blessing Ceremony, during which the containers holding the relics are placed upon visitors' heads.

It is believed that anyone -- Buddhist or not -- in the presence of the relics may feel joy, peace, inspiration and lovingkindness. Some may experience a spiritual transformation. There also have been testimonies of healings and visions after encounters with relics, and some people are overcome with emotion.

"We encourage people to be open-minded," Ewart says. "Not blind faith, but open-minded."

Philosophy of the Middle Path

Buddhism is fundamentally a philosophy, a code of practice, a way of life that over time has evolved into one of the world's major religions. It was founded by the Historical Buddha, also known as Shakyamuni Buddha. He was born Siddhartha Gautama and was a prince in Nepal. Gautama gave up his wealth and privilege to undertake a spiritual sojourn to enlightenment.

Larry Galea is the Heart Shrine Relic Tour's local coordinator for Wat Lao Charlotte, the area's Buddhist temple. He says his first contact with Buddhism was probably when he was about 10 or 11 years old. He is 58 now, and says that practicing Buddhism has shown him a true perspective of himself in relation to others. Everything is relative. Take everything on an even keel.

Buddha called it "The Middle Path," neither too much nor too little, but somewhere in between.

Galea says a common misunderstanding about Buddhism is the idea that its followers worship idols.

"That statue of Buddha is just a statue. Buddha is not a god. Buddha was a man," Galea says. "Statues are memorials of the founder of Buddhism. Bowing is paying respect to the founder and the ideas of Buddhism.

"If you visit Washington and there's a statue of Lincoln, you stare at Lincoln and you think about Lincoln and what he did for the country. But you're not worshipping Lincoln."

The Heart Shrine Relics Tour gives participants the opportunity to learn more and to understand another belief, Galea says. The actual presentation of the relics themselves is very beautiful and very informative. It's within the temple, a place of peace and well-being, he explains. Calming, relaxing music plays. It's an uplifting and powerful experience.

The philosophy of Buddhism is followed by people of many faiths, says Galea. "There are Catholic Buddhists, Lutheran Buddhists, Jewish Buddhists. It (the relic tour) gives people a chance to see what some of their fellow believers see in the practice of Buddhism.

"Every faith is welcomed. Every non-faith is welcomed." Heart Shrine Relics Tour

Heart Shrine Relics Tour

WHAT The relics of the Historical Buddha as well as Maudgalyayana, Ananda and Sariputra and other saints and spiritual masters from the Chinese, Indian and Tibetan traditions.

WHEN Opening ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 25-26.

WHERE Wat Lao Charlotte, 1824 Toddville Road, Charlotte.

COST Free and open to the public.

CONTACT Larry Galea, 704-340-4681; www.maitreyaproject.org Heart Shrine Relics Tour