Sacred relics of Buddha that had been sent to Sri Lanka were sent home to Pakistan on Monday following a 17-day-long exposition across the country. These relics included the the sacred relics of Haku Daathuwa, Kanishka Relic Casket from Shah-Ji-Ki-Deheri, stone reliquary in Stupa shape and a Golden Casket.
The relics had been sent by the Pakistan government from the Taxila Museum of Gandhara on the special request of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa during President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Sri Lanka.
According to a press release issued by the High Commission of the Sri Lanka on Tuesday, millions of people paid homage to these sacred relics during their 17-day exposition. Among others, the president, prime minister, and speaker of Sri Lankan parliament also paid homage to these relics.
The relics were first kept at the Maligakanda temple in Colombo, from June 5 – 9. They were then taken to the Gangaramaya Temple Hunupitiya, where they were exhibited from June 10 – 12. On June 13, the sacred relics were taken to Tissamaharama temple in Hambantota to mark celebrations of the Poson Poya Day on the 15th.
On June 17, the sacred relics were brought back to Colombo and exhibited at the Mahamewna Asapuwa Malabe from June 16 –19. Here, they were kept in the inner chamber of the newly-constructed Stupa for sanctifying and conferring blessing of the relics on the stupa. As a lasting testimony to this event, the Stupa was named “Siri Gauthama Dharmarajika Stupa”.
The sacred relics were then exhibited at Mahamewuna Asapuwa, Malabe till June 19.
Buddhism left a monumental and rich legacy of art and architecture in Pakistan, reads the press release. Despite the vagaries of centuries, the Gandhara region preserved a lot of the heritage in craft and art. Much of this legacy is visible even today in Pakistan. The Gandhara civilization was not only the centre of spiritual influence but also the cradle of the world famous Gandhara culture, art and learning. It was from these centres that a unique art of sculpture, Gandhara Art, originated.
