This is a rare opportunity to view these relics, which were found among the cremation ashes of Buddhist masters. They resemble beautiful, pearl-like crystals. Buddhists believe relics embody the master's spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom and are deliberately produced by the master at his death.

Visitors often report experiences of inspiration and healing when in the presence of the relics. While some are inspired to pray for world peace and to develop their inner wisdom, others are overcome by emotion as the powerful effects of the relics open their hearts to compassion and loving-kindness.

According to Buddhist scriptures, Maitreya will be the next Buddha to bring teachings of loving-kindness to the world. Eventually, the relics will be enshrined in a 500-ft/152-m bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha that is being built in Kushinagar, northern India.

Maitreya Project puts the teachings of loving-kindness into action by:

• Building the 500ft/152m Maitreya Buddha statue – a magnificent monument to loving-kindness intended to inspire people all across the world to think and act with kindness
• Providing free of charge, spiritual, education and healthcare facilities in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, one of the poorest areas in northern India.
• Providing immediate and long-term employment
• Helping to develop the area's infrastructure.
• Serving as a focus and influence for sustainable, positive development in this emerging part of India.

"The very name 'Maitri', that's loving-kindness. Now in today's world, we really need the promotion of Maitreya, Maitri, loving-kindness. So this is a huge project, right from the beginning, I simply admire those concerned people especially the late Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche really devoted to making this huge statue, and many followers really putting in effort, I really admire and I appreciate." – His Holiness the Dalai Lama

For more information, a press pack and downloadable images of the relics, please visit:- www.maitreyaproject.org

If you go

Dates: September 28, 29 & 30, 2007
Times: Friday 7pm Opening Ceremony, public viewing until 9pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 7pm each day
Venue: Buddhist Daihonzan Henjyoji Temple, 2634 SE 12th Ave, Portland
Contact: Brian Hochhalter, RelicTourPortland2007@gmail.com, Tel: 503 349 4159
Entrance: No entrance charge, donations welcome