• UGI USER
  • Feb 21, 2024
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BUDDHA’S RELICS AT NATIONAL MUSEUM TO BE ON DISPLAY IN THAILAND

Why in the news?

  • Four of the 20 relics of Lord Buddha housed at the National Museum in India will be exhibited in Thailand for a month, starting Thursday.
  • These relics, categorised as ‘AA’ (rare) antiquities, are not typically lent for exhibitions, making this trip abroad a unique event.
source:TOI

About Historical Significance of  Buddha relics:

  • The relics, known as the ‘Kapilavastu Relics,’ were recovered in 1898 from a site believed to be the ancient city of Kapilavastu in Bihar.
  • Alongside the Buddha relics, artifacts of his two disciples from Madhya Pradesh’s Sanchi will also be exhibited, marking the first occasion of their joint display.
Key Facts About Gautam Buddha

●   Born circa 563 BCE in Lumbini, Siddhartha Gautama renounced wealth at 29.

●   Attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya after intense meditation.

●   Preached first sermon in Sarnath, died at 80 in Kushinagara, believed to be Lord Vishnu’s eighth incarnation.

What are Buddha’s relics ?

●   Buddha’s relics: body parts and touched objects with special powers.

●   Divided after death, distributed to build stupas.

●   Ashoka collected relics, enshrined them to spread Buddhism.