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. |