Buddha's Relics Resting Ceremony

Master Jian Dan coordinated a two-day Buddha Relics resting ceremony at Jade Buddha Temple (public viewing) on Saturday (4/5) and at American Bodhi Center (permanent resting) on Sunday (4/6).

When the Buddha lived in India in approximately 2,500 years ago, the people of that time had the opportunity to actually see and hear him, to be blessed by him in his human form. When Buddha left the earth by passing into nirvana (the enlightened state) during the body's death, he compassionately left relics so that today we still have the opportunity to receive the blessings
of the Buddha, directly.

These genuine relics are offered by Venerable Hung I, the Abbot of Jade Buddha Temple, to permanently rest at American Bodhi Center. In 1971 Venerable Hung I was visiting a temple in Taiwan when he met a traveling monk from India. Impressed by Venerable Hung I's big vow to spread Buddhism in the west, the traveling monk gave Venerable Hung I some of his share of
genuine Buddha relics as a gift. Years later, Venerable Hung I brought these relics, together with his big vow, and arrived in Houston. Thirty years later, we are celebrating the permanent resting of these precious relics in Houston. This event symbolizes the spreading of Buddhism to the west, to Houston, and also the resting of enduring Buddhism teaching in American.

Relics are said to carry positive energy. Interestingly, they are themselves living entities; they can grow bigger, split into more, shrink in size or even disappear. Viewing holy relics inspires us to develop our own Bodhi hearts and minds, to develop loving-kindness and compassion and to understand Buddha’s precious teachings.

In conjunction with coordinating this two-day event, Master Jian Dan conducted a 3-hour volunteer training a week prior. The training aimed to equip all volunteers with the knowledge of how a ceremony like this is carried out, how details are coordinated, and the proper manner and rules in greeting the relics and the guests.

It was a successful event. Can you find some “dharma wheels” in the pictures?