Maitreya Heart Shrine Relics open for public darshan

GANGTOK, 24 Nov: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was at Tsuklakhang here this morning as part of the opening ceremony of the exposition and darshan of the sacred relics of Sakyamuni Buddha, Bodhisattvas and other enlightened masters. The occasion coincided with Lhabab Duechen.
The Chief Minister, after lighting ceremonial butter lamps, took part in a ceremony led by the monks of Tsuklakhang after which members of the organizing committee and the Maitreya Heart Shrine Relic Tour team addressed the gathering.
The exposition and darshan was opened for public after the opening programme which was also attended by Speaker KT Gyaltsen, senior Cabinet members, senior government officials including Chief Secretary R Ongmu.
The relics have been collected over many years by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the spiritual founder of the relic tour.
It may also be informed that donations collected from the tour will be used for the construction of a 150-ft tall bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha in Bodhgaya in which the relics will be eventually enshrined at the end of the world tour.
It may be informed that the Maitreya Buddha Relics Tour arrived in Sikkim on 19 November through Rangpo check-post where monks from Phodong Monastery offered a traditional welcome in the presence of senior state government representatives, members of the exposition committee and devotees from all over the state.
The relics have arrived in Sikkim after touring 66 countries, making their last halt in Bhutan where they were kept on display for the past one week.
The CM while extending warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Sikkim on the occasion of Lhabab Duechen appealed to the people of Sikkim to follow the teachings of Lord Buddha for the well being of all sentient beings.
While speaking on the need for people to be close to spirituality and understand the basic principles of religion and dharma, he added that the government of Sikkim had left no stone unturned to propagate these principles amongst the peace loving and religious people of the state.
He went on to speak about the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit being developed in the state to further promote the ideologies of Buddhism in the world.
He also congratulated Sonam Ongmu Denzongpa from “Karmapa Australia”, who is also the coordinator of the relics exposition committee and one of the main persons behind bringing the relics to the people of Sikkim.
The relics will be open for public darshan at Tsuklakhang from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. everyday till 01 December.