In a profound gesture of spiritual and cultural fellowship, the sacred Relics of the Lord Buddha, enshrined at the National Museum in New Delhi, will travel to the Kingdom of Bhutan for a public exposition from 8^th to 18^th November, 2025.

The exposition is part of the Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF) in Thimphu, a major event praying for world peace and the healing of humanity and coincides with the 70^th birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the fourth King of Bhutan. It is the only Vajrayana kingdom in the world.

The holy relic delegation will be led by Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior Indian monks and officials.

Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, speaking during GPPF said that the King of Bhutan conceived the concept of the festival as an event for highlighting peace on earth. This historic visit, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), marks the second time these sacred relics have been to Bhutan. The first was in 2011 on the celebration of the wedding of the King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

A Confluence of Faith and Culture

The relics will be enshrined for public veneration at the Kuenrey Hall of Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu, a palace that houses the Bhutanese government and serves as a central hub for the nation's monastic community.

He thanked the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allowing the sacred relics to be brought to Thimphu, underscoring the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.

Enhancing the Exposition: Three Special Exhibitions

To enrich the spiritual experience, the IBC will organize three accompanying exhibitions:

 

1. Guru Padmasambhava: Tracing the life and sacred sites of the "precious guru" in India.

2. Sacred Legacy of the Shakyas: Detailing the excavation and significance of Buddha relics.

3. Life and Teachings of the Buddha: An immersive journey through the Buddha's path to enlightenment.

 

Additionally, the National Museum, New Delhi, will display select rare sculptures from its Buddhist Art and Heritage Gallery.

 

A Legacy of Shared Buddhist Heritage

Buddhism has been the cornerstone of Bhutanese identity for centuries, with its influence evident from ancient temples like the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang to the iconic Paro Taktsang. The teachings of Guru Padmasambhava, who strengthened Buddhism in Bhutan, shape the nation's culture and its unique development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which is deeply rooted in Buddhist principles of compassion and well-being.

This exposition continues India's tradition of sharing its Buddhist legacy with the world, following recent relic expositions in Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Russia's Kalmykia region. It also follows the recent successful repatriation of the sacred Piprahwa Jewel Relics to India, an event celebrated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi as a homecoming of a priceless national treasure.

The exposition of the Holy Relics in Bhutan stands as a powerful symbol of peace, a celebration of a shared spiritual heritage, and a reaffirmation of the special bonds between India and Bhutan.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

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