Tawang, 31 October (H.S.): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday described the arrival of the sacred relics of Lord Buddha in the state as a moment of immense spiritual significance and urged people to draw inspiration from the Buddha's teachings of peace, compassion and harmony.

Welcoming the arrival of the holy relics of Shakyamuni Buddha from the National Museum in New Delhi, Khandu said the occasion offered devotees an opportunity not only to seek blessings but also to deepen their understanding of Buddhism through study, reflection and practice. He also conveyed a message of prayers and good wishes from the 14th Dalai Lama for the exposition.

The sacred relics arrived in Tawang on Saturday, marking the beginning of a three-week exposition across three major Buddhist centres in Arunachal Pradesh. The relics will be displayed at the historic Gaden Namgyal Lhatse (Tawang Monastery), providing devotees and visitors an opportunity to pay homage to one of the most revered figures in Buddhism.

The relics originate from the ancient Piprahwa Stupa in present-day Siddharthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, an archaeological site closely associated with ancient Kapilavastu, traditionally regarded as the homeland of the Shakya clan to which Lord Buddha belonged.

Piprahwa occupies an important place in Buddhist history. In 1898, British archaeologist William Claxton Peppé excavated a stupa at the site and discovered reliquaries containing bone fragments and precious objects. Subsequent excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India between 1971 and 1977 uncovered two additional caskets containing 22 bone fragments traditionally associated with Lord Buddha.

The exposition is being organised by the Union Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh Government, the International Buddhist Confederation and the National Museum, New Delhi.

Following the Tawang programme, the relics will be displayed at TGL Monastery in Bomdila, West Kameng district, from November 8 to 13, and at the Golden Pagoda in Namsai from November 14 to 20. They are scheduled to return to the National Museum on November 21.

The occasion coincides with Lhabab Düchen, an important festival in Tibetan Buddhism commemorating Lord Buddha's descent from the heavenly realm. An international conference on Buddhism: Dissemination in the Himalayan Region and Beyond will also bring together Buddhist monks, scholars and delegates from India and other countries.

Arunachal Pradesh, particularly its Tawang and West Kameng districts, has a deep-rooted Buddhist heritage, with centuries-old monasteries serving as centres of religious learning, spiritual practice and cultural preservation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhijit Deb