Mongolian Buddha Purnima

June 14, 2022

India sent Four Holy Relics of Lord Buddha to Mongolia, on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.

Key Facts

All the Four Holy Relics of Lord Buddha will be be displayed for 11 days at the Batsagaan Temple in Gandan Monastery.
Relics were flown on June 12, with 23 members of the delegation, led by Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju.

About the Relics

These four relics were located at National Museum in Delhi. These come from among 22 Buddha relics. Holy Buddha Relics are called as ‘Kapilvastu Relics’ as they were taken from site in Bihar, first discovered in 1898. This site is believed to be ancient city of Kapilvastu.

Significance for India-Mongolia Relations

It is a significant milestone in India-Mongolia relations. It will further boost cultural and spiritual relations of both the countries.

Background
Relics were taken to the Sri Lanka in 2012 and were displayed at several locations of the country. Following this, guidelines were issued and the Holy Relics were placed under ‘AA’ category. AA category means, Relics cannot be easily carried out of India, for exhibition because of its delicate nature.

How were Buddha’s relics divided?

When Buddha died at the age of 80, in Kushinagar District Deoria of Uttar Pradesh, his relics were collected from his funeral pyre. Relics were divided into eight shares, for erecting stupa over it:

Ajathsatru of Magadha
Licchavis of Vaishali
Mallas of Kushinagar
Bullies of Allakappa
Sakyas of Kapilavastu
Mallas of Pava
Koliyas of Ramagrama and
Brahmana of Vethadipa.

Buddha Purnima in Mongolia

Parliament of Mongolia approved a bill in December 2019, to amend laws on Public Holidays. The amendment established the Buddha Purnima in country, that falls on 15^th of the first month of summer every year. Buddha Purnima is the most sacred day and an important festival of Buddhists.

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