via Daily News, 08 June 2024: For the first time, sacred relics from Sri Lanka, believed to be of Gauthama Buddha, were displayed in the Philippines at the “Exposition of the Sacred Relics from Sri Lanka and Vesak Day Commemoration”. Organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy and Universal Wisdom Foundation Inc., the event took place on May 25, 2024, at Wisdom Park, New Manila, featuring cultural performances and attended by over 400 guests including diplomats and Buddhist devotees.
The sacred relics, considered to be of Gauthama Buddha’s, were hand carried from Sri Lanka, with the necessary approval of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs and the Department of Archaeology, by Maj. Gen. Lanka Amarapala and DIG of Police Dammika Weerasekara.
The commemoration commenced with the bringing of the sacred relics to Wisdom Park which was received by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Philippines Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa and President of Wisdom Park Management Committee Harish Dilshan Ananda Athauda. It was followed by a bodhi pooja, Buddha bathing and circumambulation with the participation of the Founder of UWFI Dr. Mariano Yupitun and Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Palestine and former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Philippines Nawalage Bennet Cooray.
Source: Exposition of Sacred Relics from Sri Lanka in Philippines for first time in history – DailyNews
