Buddhist Relics at Lam Rim Temple, South Africa in August 2009

A collection of sacred relics of the Buddha and many other Buddhist masters is currently touring the world and being displayed in Africa for the very first time.

This is a rare opportunity to view these relics, which were found among the cremation ashes of Buddhist masters. They resemble beautiful pearl-like crystals. These relics embody the master’s spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom and have been deliberately produced by the master at the time of death so that all may share in their blessing. Until this tour, most of these relics have been kept in sacred shrines and Stupas all around the world. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who kept Shakyamuni Buddha’s relics, donated them for this tour.

The Relic tour is an event promoting world peace and inter-religious harmony. Visitors of every faith often report inspirational experiences when in the presence of the relics. While some are inspired to pray for world peace and to develop their inner wisdom, others are overcome by emotion as the powerful effects of the relics open their hearts to compassion and loving-kindness.

The relics are clearly visible inside display cases. Throughout the events there are opportunities for visitors to participate in Blessing Ceremonies, during which the relics of the Buddha are gently placed on the crown of the visitor’s head as a special blessing.

According to Buddhist scriptures, Maitreya will be the next Buddha to teach the path of loving-kindness to the world. At the conclusion of the Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour, the relics will be enshrined in a 500-ft/152-m bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha which is being built in Kushinagar, northern India.

Please check the schedule out for Lam Rim: