Buddha relics from Sri Lanka to be enshrined at Bowonniwet Vihara temple

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BANGKOK – The government is inviting Buddhists in Thailand to pay their respects to the hair relics of the Lord Buddha at Bowonniwet Vihara temple in Bangkok until January 15, 2020. The religious event marks 700 years of relations between Thai and Sri Lankan Buddhists.

The hair relics of the Lord Buddha, which had never left Sri Lanka before, arrived in Bangkok this morning, with the Ministry of Culture and the Foundation of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nanasamvara Centennial Commemoration, organizing a grand procession to transport the relics to Bowonniwet Vihara temple.

The relics are now enshrined on a throne at the temple’s Royal Diamond Residence, which contains fresh garlands, candles, incense sticks and religious offerings.

The Lord Buddha’s relics from Manelwatta temple in Sri Lanka are exhibited at Bowonniwet Vihara temple to celebrate the 266th anniversary of the establishment of Siam Nikaya in Sri Lanka and the 700th anniversary of ties between Thai and Sri Lankan Buddhists.

The temple allows Buddhists to pay their respects to the relics three times a day at 6:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. There will be chanting sessions between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. until January 15 next year.