Sacred Buddha Tooth Relics and Relics in the World

Nearly 2,600 years ago, immediately after Ascetic Siddhartha, had attained Supreme Enlightenment, a momentous event occurred in the spiritual annals of Buddhism. The Supremely Enlightened Buddha spent seven weeks enraptured by the spiritual joy of his transcendental achievement. Emerging from the seven weeks' absorption, the Buddha spent sometime resting in the shade of a tree.

The two merchant brothers, Tapassu and Bhallika, who were traveling along the trade path, saw the Buddha seated, calmly and severely. Impressed by the Buddha, the brothers approached him with respect and awe and offered him a meal of Sattu to the Enlightened Being. After partaking of the offered meal, the Buddha preached them a Sermon. The two merchants took Refuge in the Buddha and the Dhamma, and became the first devotees of the Supreme Buddha. Totally transformed by the experience of meeting the Supremely Enlightened Buddha, they requested some memento for them to cherish this unparallel moment. The Buddha touched his head and took a handful of hair and offered the Sacred Hair Relics to the adoring merchant brothers.

Taking along this sacred treasure, the two brothers continued their trade journey. Eventually, there reached Sri Lanka, where in a shrine built a site described as Ginbhanda, they deposited a portion of the Sacred Hair Relics they received. On their way, they went to Bengal, where they enshrined some strands of the Sacred Hair Relics they received from the Supremely Enlightened Buddha. Continuing their trading tour, they visited Rangoon (Yangoon) in Burma (Myanmar). At Rangoon, the merchant brothers deposited the Sacred Hair Relics in a Stupa, which came known as Swedagong.

With the passage of time, around the stupa built in North Bengal enshrine the Sacred Hair Relics, many other stupas came to be built. As the total settlement began to teem with Chetiyas (Stupas), this village acquired the name Citayong (The village of Stupas).

In the Buddhist system, the Sacred Hair Relics of the Supremely Enlightened Buddha, occupy an exalted position. This is for several reasons. These relics were given while the Supremely Enlightened Buddha was living. Besides, they are taken from the topmost part of the Buddha's Sacred physique.

The world is fully aware of the miraculous powers, possessed by the Sacred Hair Relics of the Supremely Enlightened Buddha. These became starkly clear to the whole world, in association with the new Chapter of the history of these Sacred Hair Relics.

In recent times there have been several instances of the acquisition of the Sacred Hair Relics of the Supreme Buddha, by Sri Lankan devotees. On one occasion, the ancestors of Mr. Keerthi Senanayake brought several strands of the Sacred Hair Relics of the Supreme Buddha to Sri Lanka.

But, in March 2007, the Sacred Hair Relics of the Supremely Enlightened Buddha arrived in Sri Lanka, at the initiative of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. A few strands of the Sacred Hair Relics, enshrined in a Stupa, in Chitagong, in Bangladesh, were offered to Sri Lanka, as a high spiritual gesture. At the request of the President, a prestigious group of Buddhist Priests and laymen visited Chitagong to receive the offered Sacred gift.

The team that visited Chitagong, consisted of Right Rev. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Maha Nayaka Thero, Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siamest Sect, The Senior pupil of the Chief Prelate of the Malwatu Chapter of the Siamest Sect, Rev Dr Kirinde Assaji Thero, Mr. Rohita Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Bandula Gunawardene, Minister Pandu Bandaranaike and many others.

This holy event was marked by a whole series of miraculous events. When the Sacred Hair Relics were taken out the original casket to be placed in the casket in which the Sacred Hair Relics were to be brought to Sri Lanka, there was a massive downpour of rain, which was so unusual that it could only a miracle. The identical miracle happened when the Sacred Hair Relics arrived at Changi Airport in Singapore. This miracle recurred in Colombo as well.

A special ceremony was held at Temple Trees, the official Residence of the President, to receive the Sacred Hair Relics ceremonially and devotionally.

Once, when the Southern Dry Zone was in the grip of a severe drought, the Sacred Hair Relics were conducted in procession to the region. The moment, the Sacred Hair Relics arrived, a heavy and unseasonal rain occurred, ending the drought that troubled the masses for several long months.

Presently, the Sacred Hair Relics of the Supremely Enlightened Buddha, are enshrined at Gangaramaya Monastery, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Under the supervision and personal directions of Ven. Galboda Sri Gnanissara Nayaka Maha Thero, rites and rituals are held to honour the Sacred Hair Relics, several times a day. These rituals are closely akin to those held at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.