Dharamshala — His Holiness the Dalai Lama received the Lord Buddha's sacred Kapilawasthu relics and paid homage to it. Then he interacted with Sri Lankan delegation led by Venerable Waskaduwe Mahindawamsa Nayaka Thero of the Raja Guru Shri Subuti Mahavihara Monastery of Sri Lanka and Dr. Damenda Porage of the Sri Lankan Tibetan Buddhist Brotherhood Society, April 4,2024, at his residence in Dharamshala.
Lord Buddha's sacred Kapilawasthu relics, situated at a holy temple in Sri Lanka, arrived in Dharamshala to offer His Holiness the Dalai Lama on April 4,2024. The sacred relics are located at RajaGuru Sri Subuthi Waskaduwa Maha Viharaya, a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan delegation led by the Venerable Waskaduwe Mahindawamsa Nayaka Thero of the Raja Guru Shri Subuti Mahavihara monastery in Sri Lanka and Dr Damenda Porage of the Sri Lankan Tibetan Buddhist Brotherhood Society arrived at Kangra airport this morning, April 4, 2024. A long line of Buddhists and Tibetans, including monks, nuns and students, formed in the streets, particularly near the entrance to the main Tibetan temple of Mcleod Ganj, silk scarves, flowers and incense in hand, to pay their respects and seek the blessing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the sacred relics of the Buddha.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama came to the inner entrance of the temple to receive the delegation and the sacred relics of the Buddha. The car stopped at the main entrance to the Tibetan temple and His Eminence Ling Repoche took the sacred relics of the Buddha to the inner entrance, where people offered flowers and scarves to the relics and paid their respects. On reaching the inner gate of the temple, the Ven Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero offered the sacred relics of the Buddha to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who paid homage to the relics, and then they entered his residence.
After returning to his residence, His Holiness the Dalai Lama once again paid homage to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha by touching the portable reliquary with his bowed head, and the Sri Lankan group chanted auspicious verses. Then His Holiness interacted with Venerable Waskaduwe Mahindawamsa Nayaka Thero of the Raja Guru Shri Subuti Mahavihara Monastery of Sri Lanka and Dr. Damenda Porage of the Sri Lankan Tibetan Buddhist Brotherhood Society. The Venerable Samdhong Rinpoché, Ling Rinpoché, Kirti Rinpoché and Sikyong Penpa Tsering joined the meeting.
Ven Waskaduwe Mahindawamsa Nayaka Thero told His Holiness, "We, members of the Sri Lankan Mahasangha appreciate your service to the world. Teaching the world loving-kindness is one of the Buddha’s accomplishments. You too are doing what the Buddha did. We have metta for everyone. Cultivating warm-heartedness is what the Dharma is about. We are all human beings, which is why we love all human beings. We pray for your good health and long life and offer these relics to you."
His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, "It seems that since the time of the Buddha interest in his teaching has grown around the world. The Nalanda Tradition utilizes human intelligence. I have met scientists who take an interest in what the Buddha taught, not out of faith, but on the basis of reason. They also take a genuine interest in what the teaching of the Buddha reveals about human psychology."
"Many years ago, when I met Chairman Mao Zedong,he praised my scientific turn of mind but warned me that religion is poison. I think that if he could see the interest scientists show in Buddhism today, he would consider becoming a Buddhist himself. This is because the Buddha’s teaching takes a scientific approach," the Spiritual leader of Tibet said.
"I respect all religious traditions, but it’s Buddhism in particular that employs reason. This is why we are able to hold our own in discussions with scientists. I have met scientists who were initially skeptical about religion in general who eventually became Buddhists," he added.
His Holiness said, "Now, on a practical level, the world needs peace and that’s the core of the Buddha’s message. However, I am prepared not to mention Buddhism as such but to emphasize secular ethics and universal values crucial among which is compassion. The important thing is to have a warm heart. Consequently, I am committed to encouraging people to cultivate loving-kindness. What I want to convey is that I am fully committed to promoting the Buddha’s message from a secular point of view. What do you think?"
“The world needs peace. Our experience of peace begins when we’re born, and we bask in our mother’s kindness and affection. This is our introduction to peace of mind. It’s this that sows a natural seed of compassion within us. We receive a clear lesson in love and compassion right from the start of our lives. Our experience of our mother’s love and compassion has a deep influence on us all. Having been nurtured in this way, it’s important to keep these feelings alive and to act on them throughout our lives," His Holiness concluded.
The Most Ven Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Mahanayake Thero of Sri Lanka issued statement about how idea of offering the relics to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and after six years of planning and preparation, they were finally able to do so today. The statement reads: "For several years, we have held a strong intention to offer a precious Buddha relic to His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, who is a symbol of peace, kindness and compassion in this world.
"His Holiness the Dalai Lama has accomplished more for Buddhism than anyone in history. Recognising His Holiness the Dalai Lama's revered status as a living Bodhisattva and a cherished spiritual leader in the global Buddhist community, it is with great honour and reverence that these unique and rare authentic relics, discovered during the British reign in India in the Piprahwa excavations, are being offered to him. His Holiness the Dala Lama explicitly exhibits the core Buddhist teachings such as compassion, wisdom, and peace, making him the most eligible recipient of this sacred offering.
"His Holiness embodies the teachings of the Buddha through his actions, teachings and way of life. We have always felt the strong need to reciprocate His Holiness the Dalai Lama's boundless kindness. Hence, we have fervently wished and prayed to present this precious relic as a token of my immeasurable gratitude and admiration. I gift this valuable relic to His Holiness on behalf the entire Sangha community in Sri Lanka. Dr. Damenda Porage, Founder President of the Sri Lanka-Tibetan Buddhist Brotherhood in Sri Lanka, approached me back in 2017 with the idea of presenting a Kapilavastu relic to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. After six years of planning and preparation, we have finally been able to fulfill this request.
"During His Eminence Ling Rinpoche's inaugural visit to Sri Lanka in 2022, I conveyed my earnest desire to make this offering and sought His Eminence's guidance on liaising with the office of His Holiness and organizing the event. His Eminence graciously accepted my request and offered his invaluable assistance.
These sacred relics, discovered during the British reign in India in the Piprahwa excavations, hold profound significance for millions of Buddhists worldwide. British official William Peppe gifted the authentic and sacred relics to the erudite Sri Lankan monk, Most Venerable Waskaduwe Sri Subhuthi Mahanayake Thero in 1898. These relics of the Buddha had been enshrined in Piprahwa by Shakyan relatives of the Buddha in Kapilavastu.
It is with the utmost joy and a deep sense of fulfilment that I announce this long-awaited and cherished occasion today. After many years of unwavering effort and a profound desire, our wish to offer this precious relic of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is finally fulfilled.
I am delighted and humbled to take this opportunity to thank His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his unparalleled service to the Buddha Dharma, to this world, and to all of its beings. Words cannot express His Holiness's exalted qualities, like the rays of the sun bringing light, warmth, and life-giving sustenance as far as they reach, in all directions, without limits or discrimination. May all those who have selflessly assisted us in fulfilling this great and blessed endeavour, including His Eminence Ling Rinpoche, may attain the merits of this. Their invaluable guidance and support have made this offering a reality (Pali: "Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhitatta").
