An exhibition of relics from the historical Buddha and many other Buddhist masters from India, Tibet and China
Ireland event :
Aula Maxima, UCC, Western Road, Cork
November 14,15 & 16 , 2014
What is it?
A precious collection of sacred relics of the Buddha and many other Buddhist masters is touring the world. The relics were found from among the cremation ashes of Buddhist masters. Many of them resemble beautiful, pearl-like crystals that Tibetans call 'Ringsel'. In Sanskrit they are called 'Sarira.'His Holiness the Dalai Lama has graciously offered 8 relics of the historical Buddha to the collection that are over 2,600 years old each. Relics have also been offered from the Sakya Reliquary in Tibet and also from Meiktila Museum in Burma that has housed Buddha Relics for many hundreds of years.
The tour also features relics from over 40 other Buddhist masters from different parts of the world, in all there are over 3,000 relics in the complete collection.
To date, the Maitreya Loving Kindness Tour has visited 69 countries and over 2.3 million people have seen the relics at over 780 free public events.
The relics embody the master’s spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom.Visitors often report experiences of inspiration and healing 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.
Details and provenance of individual relics in the tour can be seen at http://www.maitreyarelictour.com/relic-collection
The relics are clearly visible inside display cases that encircle a life-size, golden statue of the Maitreya Buddha.
Visitors may participate in a Blessing Ceremony where the relics of the Buddha are gently placed on the crown of the visitor’s head for a personal blessing.
According to Buddhist scriptures, Maitreya will be the next Buddha to bring teachings of loving-kindness to the world. Eventually, the relics will be enshrined in a 150-ft/45-m bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha to be built in Bodhgaya, northern India. The Relics were collected over many year by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the Spiritual Founder of the Relic Tour.
Who can see it? Is there a cost?
The purpose of the Relic Tour is to inspire people of all spiritual traditions and paths to come together to experience the blessings of the relics.The Relic Tour events are free and everyone is welcome to come and view the relics regardless of their spiritual tradition.
Some videos from the tour
Some images from the tour
(taken from the gallery at http://www.maitreyarelictour.com/gallery/ )
Program
Friday 14th : 6 pm to 8 pm (Opening ceremony, followed by viewing )Saturday 15th : 10 am to 7 pm
Sunday 16th : 10 am to 5 pm
Venerable Panchen Ötrul Rinpoche will give a talk at the opening ceremony (6pm-8pm) on 14th November and will give blessings the following day 10am to 7pm.
Facebook page for the Cork event at
https://www.facebook.com/events/1505070333070998/
Some local press coverage:
Irish Examinerhttp://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/ucc-to-welcome-buddha-relics-297015.html
The Southern Star
http://www.southernstar.ie/News/Sacred-Buddhist-relics-heading-for-UCC-Aula-Maxima-07112014.htm
More information on the world tour at http://www.maitreyarelictour.com
Contact for Cork event
Peter Taddmaitreyatourcork@gmail.com