Relics of Lord Buddha, Arahata Sariputra, and Arahata Maudgalayana, three of his most respected followers, are scheduled to leave for their solemn voyage to Thailand on Thursday. On Tuesday, officials announced that a 26-day exposition beginning on February 22 will feature the sacred artifacts from India on display in Thailand. This is the first-ever display of the sacred relics of both Lord Buddha and his followers, according to the Union Culture Ministry.
The sacred trip would be further enhanced by the arrival in Delhi of the sacred relics of Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana, according to the ministry, who announced their acquisition from Sanchi in preparation for their journey to Thailand. According to ANI, a group of monks were presented with the sacred relics of Lord Buddha by the National Museum in the nation’s capital.
During his remarks, Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar emphasized that the current journey of the sacred Buddha relics to Thailand will serve to deepen the bond between the two nations. It is with great honor that I travel to Thailand to spread the teachings of the Buddha. Humanity was the center of Lord Buddha’s existence. We are witnessing the transfer of the sacred relics of Lord Buddha to Thailand today. The relationship between India and Thailand would be strengthened, according to Rajendra Arlekar.
#WATCH | Delhi: Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar says, "…I feel proud to take carry the message of Lord Buddha to Thailand…Lord Buddha dedicated his life to humanity…Today the revered relics of Lord Buddha are being taken to Thailand…This will strengthen the India-Thailand… pic.twitter.com/CzBkT974VL
— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2024
This sacred cargo, which is held in high regard by Buddhists all around the globe, is scheduled to be transported on February 22 by a dedicated aircraft of the Indian Air Force. ‘State Guest’ status will allow the artifacts to enter Thailand in the morning of the same day, according to news agency PTI, quoting ministers.
Thai Ambassador Pattarat Hongtong expressed her gratitude to the Indian government for granting simultaneous exhibitions of the sacred relics of Lord Buddha, Arahata Sariputra, and Arahata Maudgalayana to Thailand.
I am incredibly thankful to the Indian government for granting simultaneous exhibitions of the sacred relics of Lord Buddha, Arahata Sariputra, and Arahata Maudgalayana to Thailand. For me and the members of the Thai embassy in Delhi, being a part of today’s event is a very remarkable and auspicious occasion. According to Hongtong, this is truly remarkable for the Thai people since it means they can pay respects to the Buddha’s relics, the Arahata Sariputra, and the Arahata Maudgalayana all in one place.
#WATCH | Delhi: Ambassador of Thailand to India, Pattarat Hongtong says, "I'm so grateful to the government of India to allow the expositions of the holy relics of Lord Buddha and also Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana to Thailand at the same time. I feel that this is a… pic.twitter.com/sLQqt9zL5s
— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2024
The Thai people are incredibly enthusiastic, according to Union Minister Virendra Kumar. According to him, Bangkok is just one of several stops throughout the 26-day yatra.
It is almost time for the solemn voyage to Thailand to begin for the remains of Lord Buddha and his disciples, Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana. India and Thailand’s relationship will be strengthened as a result of this.There, in Thailand, the locals are going ballistic.According to Virendra Kumar, who was reported by ANI, this 26-day yatra will pass through various locations, one of which being Bangkok.
#WATCH | Delhi: Union Minister Virendra Kumar says, "…The relics of Lord Buddha, along with those of his disciples, Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana, are about to start on their sacred journey to Thailand. This will strengthen the relationship between the two… pic.twitter.com/Wt0XP8ScQ5
— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2024
In a news conference, Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan announced that four of the twenty sacred artifacts of Lord Buddha currently housed in the National Museum in Delhi will be on display in Thailand. He went on to say that this would be a “diplomatic achievement” for New Delhi and Thailand due to the long history of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar will head a 22-member Indian team that will go to Thailand with the artifacts, according to the ministry.
These artifacts, which were unearthed in the 1970s by a team of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials at Piprahwa, which is believed to be a portion of the site of ancient Kapilavastu, date back to the 4th-5th century BC, according to PTI.
(This news report is from a syndicated feed. THND team members did not write or edit the content except for the headline.)
