Sacred Relics exposition in Darjeeling
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the people of the Hills,
especially the Buddhists. The ashes of the Buddha have been brought to
Darjeeling from Bodh Gaya and will be on display for the common people
from Saturday to Monday at the Gorkha Ranga Manch, near Mall Road.
The Dharma Chakra Committee (DCC) of Darjeeling brought the casket
containing the Relics of the Buddha to the Druk-Sa-Ngag Choeling
monastery near Dali on Friday. The ashes of His first disciples
Sariputra and Maha Mogallana have also been brought.
Though many Buddhists make a pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya, where Buddha
was Enlightened, few know that His ashes are also preserved. “This is a
big opportunity for those who cannot make it to Bodh Gaya, to take
Buddha’s blessings,” said Gautam Tamang, Joint Secretary of DCC. The
casket containing Buddha’s ashes was discovered in 1930 by the
Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka during the excavation of the
Mahiangana Stupa. It had been taken to the Mullegamma Temple at Asgiriya
in Kandy. At the request of the Maha Bodhi Society of India’s Buddhagaya
Centre, it was brought to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Vihara to commemorate
the 2550th Buddha Jayanti in 2006. Since then, it has been kept there.
On Friday afternoon, the caskets were brought to Darjeeling from New
Jalpaiguri station amidst tight security. This is the first time the
ashes of Buddha and His disciples will be on display.
“It is a blessing for us Buddhists,” said Tshering Dorjee, member of
the Maha Bodhi Society Committee.
The intricately-designed caskets which are shaped like stupas are
made of gold and adorned with precious stones and gems.
The Lamas of Dali monastery performed a pooja before unveiling the
caskets, which were wrapped in red and yellow cloth. On Saturday, the
caskets will be thrown open for the public.
After Darjeeling, the caskets will be taken to Triratna Buddhist
Monastery near Salbari in Sukna for display. From there, they will be
taken back to Bodh Gaya on November 13.
-Times of India
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