Relics reach Rabong shrine - Thai delegation announces Rs 20 lakh aid

Rabong (South Sikkim), Nov. 25: Thirteen relics of the Buddha, brought from 12 countries, were handed over to the Sakyamuni project by a team of Thai monks, led by a high priest, here this morning.

A 2km long procession with traditional sherbang reception was led from the Rabong Bazaar to the Mane Chokerling Complex, where the hand-over ceremony was held at the new Karma Thekchenling monastery.

The Thai delegation also announced 1.5 million Thai Bhat (equivalent to Rs 20 lakh) for the project today. Jamnian Chonsakhorn Seelasettho, who led the team, handed over Rs 2 lakh in cash to the minister today and he will transfer the rest of the amount to the account of the project later.

A large number of devotees reached this subdivisional town in South Sikkim to join the procession and witness the ceremony. The Thai team had reached Rabong late in the evening yesterday with the most precious relics to be kept near the statue of Buddha after its completion next year.

The relics had been offered by Somdet Phra Nyanasaamvara, the 19th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.

Following a request, a high Thai priest, Phra Kristada, in Bangkok had agreed to be the representative of the Sakyamuni project for securing the relics from all Buddhist countries in Southeast Asia. The relics were collected from Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Buddhist temples in California (USA), Germany, Lumbini in Nepal and Bodhgaya in India.

Sikkim urban development minister D.D. Bhutia and Goshir Gyaltshab Rimpoche, a regent and second in head of the Kagyu sect of Buddhism after the Karmapa, received the relics at the solemn ceremony held in the main hall of the shrine.

Bhutia is Rabong MLA as well as the vice-chairman of the project,

“We are very happy and glad to hand over the relics collected from various countries for the 130feet high statue of Lord Buddha. The project will bring peace, kindness and generosity to not only Sikkim but to the universe,” Seelasettho said in his address while handing over the relics.

Thanking the Thai delegation, Bhutia said the gesture would always be remembered by the people of the state.