Tibetan Spiritual Leader Dalai Lama Receives Lord Buddha’s Sacred Kapilavastu Relics
The venerable Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Mahanayake Thero, has proclaimed that the Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama, has accomplished more for Buddhism than any other figure in history. Consequently, he deems the Dalai Lama the most suitable candidate to receive the sacred relics of Lord Buddha, according to a statement.
On Thursday, the Dalai Lama was formally presented with these relics at the RajaGuru Sri Subuthi Waskaduwa Maha Viharaya, a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The relics, discovered during the Piprahwa excavations under British rule in India, hold profound significance for Buddhists worldwide.
Expressing profound admiration for the Dalai Lama, Mahanayake Thero revealed that the initiative to present the Kapilavastu relic to the Tibetan spiritual leader began in 2017. Following meticulous planning over six years, this long-anticipated offering has finally been realized.
The relics were originally gifted to the erudite Sri Lankan monk, Most Venerable Waskaduwe Sri Subhuthi Mahanayake Thero, in 1898, by British official William Peppe. They had been enshrined in Piprahwa by the Shakyan relatives of Lord Buddha in Kapilavastu.
The announcement of this significant occasion brings great joy and fulfillment after years of effort and longing. The relics, now in the possession of the Dalai Lama, remain housed at the RajaGuru Sri Subuthi Waskaduwa Maha Viharaya, continuing to serve as a profound connection to the legacy of Lord Buddha.
Moreover, the Sri Subhuthi Maha Viharaya in Waskaduwa currently houses 21 relics of Lord Buddha, further enriching its spiritual significance.
In related events, earlier in February, the Dalai Lama delivered teachings during the Chotrul Duechen festival, attracting over 3000 Tibetan followers. This festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the 1st Tibetan month, commemorates significant events in the life of the Buddha.
Additionally, in March, the relics of Lord Buddha and his main disciples embarked on a 25-day exposition across Thailand, drawing millions of devotees from various parts of the world.
This revered exposition, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), traversed four cities, underscoring the enduring spiritual impact of Lord Buddha’s teachings.
