Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed appreciation for the people and leaders of Bhutan for according a reverent welcome to the holy relics of Lord Buddha from India, saying the teachings of the founder of Buddhism are a ‘sacred link’ between the two countries.
“Heartfelt appreciation to the people and leadership of Bhutan for the reverent welcome accorded to the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha from India,” said Prime Minister Modi, who will be in Bhutan for a two-day visit from November 11.
The relics “symbolise the timeless message of peace, compassion and harmony”, he said on his social media handle on X, and added that the “teachings of Lord Buddha are a sacred link between India and Bhutan’s shared spiritual heritage”.
A portion of the holy relics of Lord Buddha, called the ‘Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha’, were earlier enshrined at the National Museum in New Delhi, and taken to Bhutan on Saturday to be enshrined at a prominent monastery in Thimpu, called ‘Tashichhodzong’. It is considered the seat of Bhutan’s highest spiritual and political institutions.
The relics will be enshrined for public veneration at the Kuenrey Hall of Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu, from November 8 to 18, marking a moment of deep spiritual unity between India and Bhutan, said the Ministry of Culture.
Also present at the enshrinement ceremony was Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, other ministers of the Himalayan kingdom and senior Lopens of the central monastic body, besides India’s Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Virendra Kumar, as per information by the Indian Embassy in Thimphu.
The enshrinement ceremony at the Grand Kuenrey Hall at Tashichhodzong included a traditional chipdrel procession, prayers, and a guard of honour, the Indian Embassy in Thimpu said in a post on X.
The Grand Kuenrey is one of the most prominent halls in Bhutan, which is located within the Tashichhodzong, a fortress and a monastery.
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