Special Significance of: Sacred Tooth Relic Exposition
Interviewed Ayanthi Vithana
|
The Sacred Tooth Relic
is worshipped by all as the living Buddha. It has an unbroken written
history up to date since the Passing Away of the Buddha. |
The
Interview:
Q: This time the exposition of the
Sacred Tooth Relic is held after five years. Is there a special reason
for this?
A: This year is of special
significance to the country. It is the year in which peace will dawn
after decades of the terrorist scourge being eliminated. It catalyses a
brighter future for the country. Specially for us, the Buddhists it is
important to invoke the blessings of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Q: Could you explain the procedure
for the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic?
A: The Asgiri and the
Malwathu Mahanayakes are the custodians of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Diyawadana Nilame is also a custodian representing the lait. This was
the practice established in 1853 under the British Administration.
Their unanimous decision is a must to hold the exposition. This time
the Most Venerable Mahanayakes also and myself decided on the exposition
and fixed the date for same. President Mahinda Rajapaksa was also made
aware of the proposal.
Q: We could observe a golden casket
inside the Chamber where the sacred Tooth Relic is enshrined. Of the six
caskets inside the main casket, the Sacred Tooth Relic is ensturived in
one?
A: What we see is the
outer casket where in these are six small caskets, of which three are
most important. The key of the outer casket is in my charge.
| The
exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic this year, after the laps
of five years is of special significance to the country. It is
the year in which peace will dawn after decades of terrorist
scourge being eliminated, said Dalada Maligawa Diyawandana
Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela in an interview with the Daily News.
|
The keys of the next two caskets are kept in the custody of the most
Venerable Maha Nayake of the Asgiriya Chapter and most Venerable Maha
Nayake of Malwatte Chapter respectively.
Let alone holding an exposition even to open the casket where the
Sacred Tooth Relic is enshrined, the consensus of the two most Venerable
Mahanayakes and Diyawadana Nilame is essential.
Q: Some people believe the Sacred
Tooth Relic is encased in a golden casket and therefore the actual tooth
relic cannot be seen.
A: No, it is not. It is
the actual tooth relic that is enshrined for exposition. Buddha was a
unique being blessed with 32 great features, which no other being was
endowed with hence his greatness.
Q: All devotees both local and
foreign throng to pay their homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic. Why are
people so enthusiastic?
A: The Sacred Tooth Relic
is worshipped by all as the living Buddha.
It has an unbroken written history up to date since the Passing Away
of the Buddha. As is believed, within hours of the exposition the Kandy
area began to experience heavy rains recently.
This kind of miracles are abundant in the history of the Sacred Tooth
Relic. According to the historical records the exposition of the Sacred
Tooth Relic at the Maha Maluwa during the governorship of Henry Browns,
had caused torrential rains. Despite the massive terrorist attack on the
Maligawa in 1998, the Sacred Tooth Relic remained inviolable. As this no
miracle?
Q: The Community Service Unit of the
Maligawa Caters to the needs of the devotees such as providing meals and
security services. Could you elaborate on this?
A: Today we are experiencing an economic meltdown worldwide.
Despite such constraints, this type of Community Services was set up
to execute a hospitality programme. Those who are near and dear to us
have volunteered to provide the service and the devotees are well cared
for. The security services are geared to meet the demand. |
