A 26-day exhibition has been held in Thailand's Bangkok where there is going to be the display of sacred relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples which are being transported from India on the occasion of Makha Burcha Day. Thousands of worshippers are paying a visit to this sacred relic housed at the Pagoda within the Sanam Luang Pavilion.

Makha Bucha Day is an important Buddhist holiday. It holds a special place for the Buddhist people marking a phase of worship and spiritual reflection.

According to the Thai daily, 'The Nation', it is a festival that commemorates the fourfold assembly of 1,250 enlightened monks that took place more than 2,500 years ago.

Relics of Lord Buddha are dated 4th-5th century BCE and were found in an excavation at Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh. This is evidentially found to be a part of the site of ancient Kapilavastu, by a team of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the 1970's.

The display itinerary includes visits to multiple centres across Thailand, allowing devotees and enthusiasts and pay respects to the Buddhist artefacts.

Relics of Lord Buddha and his two disciples arrived in Thailand with a special arrangement from the Indian Airforce on Thursday.

Last Friday, the relics were shrined in a special mandapam in Bangkok. On Saturday, Macha Bucha Day, Buddhists all over the world paid a visit to the relics.

This event began in Thailand on 22nd February. Buddha and his two disciples Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalyayana.

An Indian delegation of 22 members accompanied the Buddha relics and handed them over to the Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The leader of the Thai Culture Minister reaffirmed the country's commitment to spreading Lord Buddha's message to mankind.

This day is also known as Magha Puja. It holds great reverence and sacred value for the worshippers. This gathering at the Fourfold Assembly is considered a miracle in itself for it was the spontaneous gathering of enlightened disciplined all somewhere the chosen one by the Buddha. They had gathered to listen to Lord Buddha deliver his fundamental teachings, the Ovada Patimokkha at the Veluwan temple in India.

The tradition of celebrating Makha Bucha Day can be traced back to the reign of King Rama IV in 1851. Formerly, the event was exclusively available to the Temple of Emerald Buddha and the royal place residents. It was later expanded by King Rama V to promote the faith throughout Thailand. Since 1913, Makha Bucha Day has been a celebrated and pious day across the Kingdom.

Various religious activities and ceremonies are observed in Thailand. Devotees participate in 'wian thian', it's basically a candle-light progression around the ordination hall, performed three times to honor the Triple Gem: the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddha's teachings) and the Sangha (monastic community).

This day is also marked by Buddhists where they do activities such as that donating, giving alms, meditating, listening to sermons, and practising five precepts including prohibition from liquor.

It's a first that serves as a reminder of the importance of reflection, self-discipline and living a life by the teachings of Lord Buddha. It is the day that connotes the value of peace, compassion and enlightenment within the Buddhist communities worldwide.

Let's come together and hold hands in fraternity and develop a pathway to peace and understanding.

Happy Makha Bucha Day to all!

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References:

• https://asiantimes.biz/
• https://www.au.edu/