Amit Shah Thousands of Buddhists celebrated the return of Lord Buddha’s remains to what they called “the living land of the Dhamma” on Friday.
With the return of the sacred bone remains to Ladakh after 1950, there was a festive atmosphere in Leh city, and men, women and children – dressed in traditional attire – came to ‘Jivetsal’ from all over the Union Territory to witness this auspicious ceremony, which was marked with prayers and rituals.
Speaking at the inauguration of a fortnight-long exhibition of the sacred Piprahwa relics, Shah said their return to Ladakh after 75 years is a “historic reunion”.
The festival is expected to strengthen India’s credentials as the birthplace of Lord Buddha and Buddhism – something that is rooted in irrefutable facts but has been tried by some to be questioned.
In his speech, Shah recalled the Dalai Lama’s statement that Ladakh is not just a geographical entity, but a living laboratory of Buddhist culture and compassion. He also said that the message propagated by Indian civilization for thousands of years has become even more relevant today as it shows that “amidst unrest and conflict” solutions can be found only through peace and compassion.
Celebration continues in the city
Buddha Purnima This is completely different from the violence that broke out last year on the issue of statehood.
Shah said the 2569th Buddha Purnima is not only an “important religious occasion” but also a “historical reunion” as the Tathagata Buddha has returned to Ladakh through these relics after so many years.
The minister said he agreed with the comments of Tsering Dorje Lakruk, president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, that when the relics arrived in the 1950s, very few people would have been able to pay respect to the relics because of the difficult terrain and lack of infrastructure at that time.
Shah said, “However, today, after 75 years, when these remains have arrived, I am confident that the Buddhists of Leh and Kargil and people of other religions will also be able to pay homage to them.”
Over the past few years, the Piprahwa bone relics of Lord Buddha have been displayed in many countries, including Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Russia, Singapore, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, attracting global attention and devotion.
The remains associated with the Piprahawa Stupa at Kapilavastu (in present-day Uttar Pradesh), the homeland of the Shakya dynasty of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha – were excavated by Willam Claxton Peppe in 1898. Sacred relics serve as profound symbols of the Buddha’s living presence and his universal teachings.
Discussing the theme of the exhibition “Peace Beyond Borders”, LG of Ladakh VK Saxena said that at a time when the world is surrounded by unrest and ideological conflicts, this event is most relevant and timely.
LBA President Tsering Dorje said a festive mood among the people had been seen since the relics reached Leh as signs in nature, such as a rainbow, were seen over Spituk Monastery.
