April 10, 2013; New Delhi / Colombo: His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, spiritual head of Drukpa Buddhists presented the holiest of relics – the Buddha’s bone relic to the country of Sri Lanka, for upholding universal truth, peace harmony and happiness. This relic was presented by the Gyalwang Drukpa at a glittering ceremony held at Temple Trees, the official residence of the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksha, who accepted the holy offering on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka amidst an august gathering of Ministers and Parliamentarians, Ambassadors of various countries, and over 500 monks, nuns and followers from across 26 countries.
The Buddha’s Bone Relic
After Buddha Shakyamuni passed into Mahaparinirvana, his relics were divided among his disciples and Buddhist kingdoms. The bone relics became the priceless treasure of Nalanda University. In the 11th century, Indian Pandit Naropa was offered these precious relics. He gave them along with his own Six Bone Ornaments and many other priceless relics to Marpa, his chief disciple from Tibet. Marpa passed these relics along with the Six Ornaments to his own chief disciple, Ngokton Choku Dorje, who had to safe keep these relics until seven generations later, so that they would be returned to the "rightful owner". As prophesied, Ngok's descendent returned these treasures to Naropa's very own reincarnation, the 2nd Gyalwang Drukpa. Since then, successive reincarnations of the Gyalwang Drukpa have been the guardians and keepers of the precious relics.
The President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksha, while receiving the Holy Relic said, “Lord Buddha is a true epitome of peace, and this gift to the Nation by His Holiness is a true recognition of the efforts of the country to follow the path of peace and harmony.” His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa said, “The past one month, as we traversed the nation from south to north, from Kataragama to Jaffna, there was only one overwhelming feeling that we had, that the country has truly embarked on a new and peaceful journey shunning its past 3 decades of violence and bloodshed. Sri Lanka is now at the verge of creating a distinct and different imagery of a peace-loving nation. And we are all very happy to be sharing this moment with them.
About the Gyalwang Drukpa: www.drukpa.org
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