The holy relics of Lord Buddha, as well as those of his two disciples Sariputra and Maudgalyayana, were on display for 26 days in places across Thailand, attracting millions of visitors, and were returned to India on March 19.
The sacred relics, known as Kapilavastu relics, are preserved in the National Museum of India. They are believed to be the remains of Lord Buddha and two of his disciples, Sariputra and Maudgalayana. These vital relics date back to approximately the 4th to 5th centuries. They were discovered at Piprahwa, near Siddharthnagar in Uttar Pradesh, a site believed to be the ancient city of Kapilvastu, through the Archaeological Survey of India in the 1970s. These holy relics have even traveled for displays, having in the past been exhibited in Mongolia and Sri Lanka.
However, this is the first time that the relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples have been exhibited together. They were flown to Thailand on 22 February, with the respect of a visiting dignitary aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft. These relics are considered exceptionally rare and valuable, classified in the “AA” category for antiquities and art treasures. Normally, they wouldn’t lend themselves to exhibitions anywhere in the world. However, the Ministry of Culture has made an exception to the Thai government’s special request. allowing those relics to be exhibited in Thailand for a limited time.
This special exhibition also marked the 72nd year of the birth of King Rama X, highlighting the civilization between India and Thailand. After a month-long exhibition in Thailand, the relics returned to India and were won with all state honors. Minister Meenakshi Lekhi, who won them in a special rite at the air base, carried the coffin containing the relics and spoke of the deep cultural bond between India and Thailand, which is strengthened through Buddha’s timeless message.
Buddha’s relics are preserved in the National Museum, while the relics of his two disciples were shipped from Madhya Pradesh to Delhi before being transported to Thailand. These relics were put on display for public veneration in Bangkok for the first time, starting on February 23. The exhibition then traveled through Thailand, with stops in several cities before concluding on March 18. The occasion drew gigantic crowds of devotees, many of whom took cover early in the morning to pay their respects.
The initiative exemplifies the strategic importance of culture and heritage in India’s new diplomatic thinking. India’s diplomatic policy attaches wonderful importance to its culture and heritage. A recent example is “relic diplomacy”, where India shared the relics of Lord Buddha with Thailand and Queen Saint Ketevan with Georgia. In India, items such as ancient artifacts and other tangible relics, which in combination shape what is known as culture curtains, have crossed borders and come to constitute the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the global is one family). This philosophy emphasizes the interdependence of all.
India actively taps into this shared cultural heritage with Southeast Asian countries, such as those in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Thailand is a recent example of this collaboration, a testament to India’s ongoing efforts to promote cultural understanding and unity. India’s sharing of Buddhist relics with Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam reflects international cultural relations based on shared devotional values. These values, embodied through Buddha and his disciples, are highlighted through the exhibition of bone fragments at the National Museum in Bangkok. It’s part of a long culture of such exchanges: in the past, India sent relics to Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand.
This recent agreement between India and Thailand underscores the importance of Buddhism in strengthening their relations, a point underlined by former President Kovind to a complex of Hindu and Buddhist temples in Vietnam. India’s cultural international relations efforts are reaching new heights. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) not only restores ancient sites in Cambodia but also uncovers treasures such as Buddha statues. This strengthens the already strong foundations between India and Thailand, aligning with their respective foreign policies of “Act East” and “Look West”. Another successful example of cultural considerations of international relations. In 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs returned the relics of the respected Queen St. Petersburg. John’s. Ketevan.
A symbol of religion and resilience, the Queen’s story connects the two nations. Their remains, discovered in Goa, highlight the ancient ties that unite India and Georgia today. In 2017, India shared the holy relics of St. Queen Ketevan with Georgia for six months. The relics are of significant ancient and devout importance to Georgia. In July 2021, India’s foreign minister personally handed over the relics to Georgia. India uses its long hitale as a center of spirituality and wisdom (its “Dharmic civilization”) as an exclusive form of comfortable power. This differs from the West in terms of pop culture and consumerism. India promotes the exchange of ideas, cultural links, and classical wisdom to solve fashionable problems.
This includes spaces such as sustainable progress and humanitarian aid. For example, Buddhism originated in India and has flourished in neighboring countries, creating deep cultural bonds that go back centuries. This shared spirituality is especially strong between India and Bhutan, where Buddhism is the foundation. of their relationship. Bhutan sees India not only as a tough neighbor, but also as the source of its faith and its message of peace and compassion. Prime Minister Modi recently laid the foundation stone for the Indian International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage to be built in Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha. Its goal is to be a center of Buddhist learning and attract foreign visitors. Designed with prayer rooms, meditation spaces, a library and an exhibition hall, the center will showcase Buddhist teachings and history. This task is more than just a building. Lumbini is part of a larger Buddhist tour, along with other sites that mark the journey of Buddha’s life.
The Centre reinforces this circuit and promotes a transnational Buddhist tourism direction between India and Nepal. The Center’s promise goes even further. It has the prospect of being a center of cultural exchange and spiritual exploration, not only for Buddhists but also for all those who seek peace and wisdom. This initiative is of particular importance for many Asian countries where Buddhism is at the core of their identity. The Center serves as a symbol of unity and a reminder of Buddhism’s power to unite people from other cultures. The Indian International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage is more than a building: it is a bridge between the past, the offer and the future. It honors the Buddha’s legacy, fosters cultural exchange, and offers a brighter future for Buddhist studies, tourism, and spiritual exploration. This task exemplifies India’s creativity in promoting its values of civilization as a potential resource to meet new global challenges.
However, countries use cultural international relations to express goals, and for India, their cultural ties are connected to their political and economic interests. This raises the option that international relations relics, or the enhancement of devotional objects, could be used more strategically. India would do well to explore how relics can generate benefits in spaces such as trade, infrastructure, and security.
In the future, it would possibly be useful for the personal sector to collaborate with the government on cultural projects of international relations involving relics. This teamwork can also lead to mutual benefits. As more countries interact in Buddhist international relations, India will face new challenges, such as the Pakistan festival. However, India’s efforts in international cultural relations will have to be secure and concentrate on its unique strengths.
Ultimately, relic international relations allow India to connect with other countries through a shared spirituality. It’s not about creating a uniform culture, but about celebrating the diversity and contributions of figures like Buddha and Queen St. John Ketevan. His teachings are even more vital in today’s world.
Dr. Maheep is a leading analyst of India’s foreign policy. He has been training and conducting studies on foreign and global policy for more than a decade.
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