Blessings of the Relics
Benefits of Relics
Rinpoche made the following comments about the relic tour.
The relics are Buddha's actions, benefiting sentient beings through the relics. They are actually a manifestation of Buddha's actions. By seeing the relics and showing devotion, we receive blessings. From the blessings, we receive realizations on the path to enlightenment. This is how the relics bring us to enlightenment.
Benefits of Holy Relics
A student wrote to Rinpoche after seeing an exhibition of Buddhist relics that was touring many cities. She said the following: “I had a mind moving experience. As a result, I have a feeling of pure love and compassion. I feel as if all thoughts of anger and negativity have been removed by the relics and a new power is filling me.” Rinpoche’s response was as follows.
My very dear Barbara,
Thank you very much for your kind letter, which I was very happy to receive. It is a great thing that the relic tour exists in this world; it is benefiting many people. There have been many amazing stories from people who came to see the relics. Even non-Buddhists have had such strong feelings and seen light coming out from the relics. They feel deep peace in their minds. Your experience is extremely precious.
This is really what we are looking for—that those who come to visit the relics experience a change in their minds, as well as the relics benefiting the whole world, so there are no more wars, poverty, and sickness. All of this can be eliminated and one can achieve perfect peace and happiness in this world, as well as perfect enjoyment, with everyone’s hearts filled with love, compassion, patience, and kindness. People can actualize bodhicitta—the thought of enlightenment and right view. They can achieve great outer and inner prosperity and complete the realizations of the path to enlightenment.
This is why Buddha left relics for us, so that we can complete the merit of wisdom and method and actualize the whole path to enlightenment.
I will send you one small relic of the Buddha so you can worship it every day, with prostrations, circumambulations, and offerings, so as to pacify all sufferings and to only have peace, happiness, compassion, and loving kindness.
With much love and prayers,
Lama Zopa
P.S. I am also sending you a picture of the very precious Buddha statue inside the temple in Bodhgaya—where the Buddha attained enlightenment.