Rare Buddha relics visit Dublin
Tuesday 25 July

Relics of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha who lived 2,500 years ago

Rare Buddha Relics will be on display in Dublin City University from 28 July to 30 July 2006 as part of an international tour. DCU is the only venue in Ireland that will have the relics on display.

Fr John Gilligan, from the Interfaith Centre, who will say an opening prayer on peace said, “DCU is the only Inter-Faith Centre in Ireland which is sensitive to all denominations. As an intercultural campus we are in an ideal position to help each other to understand and appreciate all faiths and not be suspicious of other ways of praying. We have so much pressure and stress that Buddhism helps us to reflect and take stock.”

The precious relics which were found among the cremation ashes of Buddhist masters will be placed in the Interfaith Centre by custodians who will take the relics and set them out. They can’t be touched, but can be seen and will be guarded.

Buddhists believe the relics embody the master’s spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom and have been deliberately produced by the master so that all may share in their blessing.

To view a relic is extremely rare as normally relics are permanently enshrined inside statues and stupas and are rarely made available for public viewing, much less taken out of their resident countries.

There is no entrance fee, although donations are welcome. The opening ceremony will take place at 5pm on Friday 28 July and the Interfaith Centre will open from 10am to 5pm on 28, 29 and 30 for viewing.

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