Millions pay homage to Sacred Buddha Relics from Pakistan

The Sacred Relics of the Buddha brought from Pakistan were taken back to Pakistan Monday after conclusion of the exposition of these Sacred Relics in Sri Lanka. These Sacred Relics were sent by the government of Pakistan on the special request of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, during the visit of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to Sri Lanka.

During the 17 day exposition of the Sacred Relics in Sri Lanka millions of people paid homage to these Sacred Relics. In addition to the millions of devotees President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister DM Jayaratne and Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa several Parliamentarians and other prominent personalities paid homage to the Sacred Buddha Relics.

These relics included the Sacred Relics of Buddha, Kanishka Relic Casket from Shah-Ji-Ki-Deheri, stone reliquary in Stupa shape and a golden casket. The exposition of the Sacred Relics was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on June 4 at Maligakanda temple in Colombo where these Sacred Relics stayed for period of 4 days from June 5 to 9, 2011 and over three hundred thousand people paid homage to these relics every day at the Maligakanda temple.

These Relics were then taken to the Gangaramaya temple Hunupitiya where they kept on public exposition for three days from June 10 to 12, 2011, during which over 150,000 devotees visited these relics every day. On June 13, 2011, the Sacred Relics were taken to Tissamaharama temple in Hambantota to mark Poson Poya day on June 15. The Sacred Relics remained at Tissamaharama temple for three days where over a million devotees paid homage.

The Sacred Relics were brought back to the Mahamewna Asapuwa Malabe from June 16 to 19 where they were kept in the Inner chamber of the newly constructed stupa for sanctifying and conferring the blessing of the said Sacred Relics on the stupa. As a lasting testimony to this blessed event, this stupa was named as “Siri Gauthama Dharmarajika Stupa”.

The exhibition of the Sacred Relics in Sri Lanka has further strengthened the already existing deep-rooted cultural relations between the two friendly nations as it marks the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi.

Buddhism left a monumental and rich legacy of art and architecture in Pakistan. Despite the vagaries of centuries, the Gandhara region preserved a lot of the heritage in craft and art. Much of this legacy is visible even today in Pakistan. The Gandhara civilization was not only the centre of spiritual influence but also the cradle of the world famous Gandhara culture, art and learning. It was from these centres that a unique art of sculpture originated which is known as Gandhara Art all over the world.

Today the Gandhara sculptures occupy a prominent place in the museums of England, France, Germany, USA, Japan, Korea, China, India and Afghanistan, together with many private collections world over, as well as a vast collection in the museums of Pakistan.