In a profound gesture of respect and spiritual solidarity, His Holiness the Dalai Lama received sacred relics of the Buddha from a group of Sri Lankan Buddhists in Dharamsala, India. This event, documented by the official website of His Holiness, symbolizes a deep connection between the Buddhist communities of Sri Lanka and Tibet.
Led by the Most Venerable Dr. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero, head of the Amarapura Sambuddha Sasanodaya Maha Nikaya, and coordinated by Dr. Damenda Porage, the Founder President of the Sri Lanka-Tibetan Buddhist Brotherhood, the delegation fulfilled a long-held dream by presenting these precious relics to His Holiness.
The Buddha relics, which include fragments of bones and teeth, have been revered since the Buddha’s passing. Originally distributed among eight kingdoms and enshrined within stupas, some of these relics were discovered during an excavation in Piprahwa, identified with Kapilavastu. In 1898, a British official gifted some of these relics to an esteemed Sri Lankan monk, which were later brought to Sri Lanka.
Upon arrival in Dharamsala, the Most Venerable and his party were greeted with warmth and respect by both monks and lay supporters. The path to His Holiness’s residence was lined with people showing their reverence with silk scarves, flowers, and incense. His Holiness welcomed the relics and the Sri Lankan delegation with traditional Tibetan hospitality, including performances by artistes from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.
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During a meeting filled with shared spiritual insights, the Most Venerable Dr. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero expressed appreciation for His Holiness‘s global humanitarian efforts and his teachings on loving-kindness, mirroring the Buddha’s own message. His Holiness responded with respect, highlighting the growing interest in Buddhist teachings worldwide, not just as a matter of faith but for their emphasis on reason and understanding of human psychology.
His Holiness pointed out the scientific approach of Buddhism and its resonance with modern scientists. He emphasized the universal need for peace, rooted in compassion and loving-kindness, advocating for a secular approach to spreading these essential values.
The event concluded with personal blessings from His Holiness, who gifted Buddhist statues to the Sri Lankan visitors, marking the occasion as a historic moment of unity and shared reverence for the Buddha’s teachings.
This significant exchange, as detailed by the official website of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, not only strengthens the ties between the Buddhist communities of Sri Lanka and Tibet but also reiterates the universal message of peace and compassion at the heart of Buddhism.
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