By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, April 5: The foremost Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama was presented with a revered relic of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha. This offering was made by a group of Sri Lankan Buddhists led by Venerable Waskaduwe Mahindawamsa Nayaka Thero, head of Amarapura Sambuddha Sasanodaya Maha Nikaya, and coordinated by Dr. Damenda Porage, Founder President of the Sri Lanka- Tibetan Buddhist Brotherhood in Sri Lanka on the morning of Thursday.
His Eminence Ling Rinpoche in his address to media outlets, recalling his inaugural visit to Sri Lanka in 2022 said, “During my visit, Ven. Dr. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Mahanayake Thero expressed his sincere wish to offer this precious relic to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He highlighted the Dalai Lama’s contributions to Buddhism and his esteemed status as a revered spiritual leader within the global Buddhist community.
“I conveyed this message to the office of His Holiness and sought guidance in organising the event. The presentation of this relic today symbolises an expression of boundless gratitude and admiration towards His Holiness.”
“It is with great honour that we present this invaluable relic to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, representing the entire Sangha community in Sri Lanka. His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, stands as a beacon of peace, kindness, and compassion in our world. Through his actions, teachings, and way of life, he exemplifies the teachings of the Buddha, making him the most deserving recipient of this sacred offering. We fervently wished and prayed to present this precious relic as a token of our deep gratitude and admiration for His Holiness,” expressed Ven. Dr. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Mahanayake Thero to media outlets.
Following the Buddha’s passing and cremation of his mortal remains, the relics that remained, the fragments of bones and teeth, were divided among eight kingdoms and stupas were erected over them in Allakappa, Kapilavastu, Kushinagar, Pava, Rajagriha, Ramagrama, Vaishali, and Vethapida, according to various accounts of historical texts.
