Relics to boost Indo-Lanka ties

14 February 2011 02:56 am - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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India has agreed to temporarily lend fragments of Buddha’s bones, famously known as the Kapilavastu relics, to Sri Lanka for an exposition to celebrate his 2600th year of enlightenment later this year. It will the be the first time in decades that the fragile bone fragments, kept at the National Museum, will be taken outside India.

Announcing the decision, visiting Lok Sabha Speaker, Meira Kumar, said the exposition should have a "calming and peaceful" effect in the region and spread the word of "non violence".

The Indian government’s decision follows a request by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Prime Manmohan Singh during his India visit in June last year. Meira Kumar conveyed to Rajapaksa during a meeting on Saturday that the parts of the Kapilavastu relics will be send to Sri Lanka for display during the celebrations.

The celebrations, also known as the Sambuddhatva Jayanti, will be carried out on a large scale on the island where Buddhism is the primary religion. Lakhs of devotees are expected to visit the exposition.

The relics were excavated by Alexander Cunningham, the first director of the Archaeological Survey of India, in the late 19th century from ruins in Piprahwa in present day Bihar; Piprahwa was known as Kapilavastu in ancient Indian history.

The logistics of the exposition, including transporting the relics, insurance, security and the period for which the fragile bones will be displayed, will be decided once the two countries sign an agreement.

Besides loaning the relics, India will also organise an international conference on Buddhism in Kandy in March. The upcoming conference and the commissioning of an Indian gallery, including a 16 feet high statue of Lord Buddha, for the International Buddhist Museum in Kandy came up for discussion during the meeting between Meira Kumar and Rajapaksa.

"In this context, she noted the concurrence of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to arrange an exposition later this year of the sacred Kapilvastu relics in Sri Lanka, following a request that had been made personally to him by the President of Sri Lanka," a statement from the High Commission of India said.

Source: Hindustan Times

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Comments - 8

Darwin Monday, 14 February 2011 07:17 AM

Buddha was an ordinary human born to a royal family. He was a very intelligent man and a great philosopher. The great Buddha would never have approved of this type of thing. This is not Buddhism.

lankaputha Monday, 14 February 2011 08:36 AM

It is the satisfaction that you get, by viewing, worshipping a great philosopher. No where Budda has told even to script his words.

spark Monday, 14 February 2011 08:47 AM

You are absolutely right. The buddhism found in SL is ridicule to the original teachings of great lord buddha. This includes planting statues in every nook and corner of roadways, blasting pirith on loudspeakers and many rituals that ride on dravidian hindu systems. This all boils down whether sinhalese use buddhsim for the sake of flaunting a religeon while not adhering to the actual principles.

amedha Monday, 14 February 2011 03:26 AM

this is areliougously significant development but unfortunately politicians will use this too for political purposes.

Shaluka Monday, 14 February 2011 03:35 AM

Good request , good response , all leaders please follow the real Buddhism, do not follow the song of Victor Rathanayaka “ NIWAN DANKINATA PIN MADI WENNATHI EKAI THWAMATH SANSARAE “

Jayasiri Monday, 14 February 2011 04:28 AM

Good for Sri-Lanka. Protect this while this is in Sri Lanka and keep it away from corrupt leaders.

Secularist Monday, 14 February 2011 05:28 AM

All this is not necessary. Just focus on the Dhamma. Today there is an unhealthy obsession with celebrations, decorating temples and public property with lights and colourful polythene. The Buddha didn't ask for any of this splendour.

Roshan ViKi Monday, 14 February 2011 05:49 AM

Fist of all i am not a Buddhist as far as i know the Buddhist text Buddha never stated, that "I am God. Worship me". Nor did he instruct or ask that his statues be built and worshipped in any way or form (Toothrelic/Kapilawasthu). None of the authentic Buddhist scriptures prescribe or encourage idol worship.Many Buddhist scholars considers the evolution of the concept of Buddha as a god or as an object of worship within Buddhism as an effect of Hinduism. According to the Dhammapada, volume 10 pg., 67: "The Thathagatas are only Preachers.” This confirms the age-old tendency amongst humans to deify and worship those human beings who have been preachers and reformers. So then why should Buddhist worship Buddha’s statue or remains of Buddha? But some can argue that everyone has right to worship what he believes, so in that case he follows a religion of his own but not the Buddhism. This is my personal view on Buddhism and its believe I wish to correct myself if I am wrong.

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Relics to boost Indo-Lanka ties

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