Sacred artifacts from Buddhist masters were on display in Ansonia this weekend, at the Chua Phuoc Long temple.
The display, hosted by the Maitreya Project, included an opening night ceremony with chanting monks and blessings with the relics.
Press play on the video to view scenes from the opening ceremony.
Click here to read background on the display.
The Maitreya Project Relic Tour is a collection of sacred artifacts of Buddha and Buddhist masters. The relics were found among the cremation ashes of various Buddhist masters. It is believed that the objects embody the spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom.
According to the tour website, finding relics after the passing of a Buddhist master is not uncommon. For instance, in 2001, Geshe Lama Konchog, a revered Tibetan scholar and meditator, passed away at Kopan Monastery in Nepal. After his body was cremated those attending the funeral rites found hundreds of crystal-like relics among the ashes.
Some of the items included in the tour are a tooth relic believed to have come from Shakyamuni Buddha, who is known as the historical Buddha. The relics also include a partial handprint from Lama Atisha a Buddhist scholar and master, and hair from Buddhist master Kalu Rinpoche.
