Huge collection of Buddhist relics to be brought to Moscow

Moscow, Aug 30 (UNI) World's biggest collection of Buddhist relics will be brought to Moscow on the eve of the Moscow City Day on August 31.

The event will be held as part of the Maitreya project and the world tour of the ''Relics of Heart'' donated by monasteries and temples worldwide, including India, Nepal, Thailand and Myanmar, to be reposed in the 500-ft high statue of the Buddha Maitreya.

The unique gathering of 36 relics here, will be exhibited in the International Roerich Centre, on September 1-9.

''Normally, relics like these cannot be seen as they are kept secure in Buddhist temples and monasteries. It is almost impossible that we brought all of them together,'' Interfax news agency quoted the organizers of the project today.

Before starting to construct a gigantic statue, the Buddhist lamas decided to send the relics around the globe so that ''those who see them might get maximum blessing.'' The collection includes Buddhist artifacts, some teeth and bones of different Buddhas including Buddha Shakyamuni, his disciples and followers, ringsels, pearl-like that are purportedly found among the cremated ashes of Buddhist spiritual masters.

The relics are kept in glass containers.

UNI