Relics on display

Source: 31 relics on display | Kuenselonline.com

Rinpoche’s collection of toys

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche 12 May, 2010 - A magnifying glass, table clock, pen, rings, walking stick and toys, which belonged to His Holiness the late Dilgo Khyentse rinpoche, are among the holy relics that are being displayed at Satsam chorten, Paro, in celebration of his hundredth anniversary.
Among other relics are Guru Rinpoche’s consort Yeshe Tsogyal’s footprint left on a stone. The relics of Buddha from Dilgo Khyentse rinpoche’s gao (amulet) include a Guru Dewachenpo’s statue, believed to have blessed by Guru himself, and Tibetan king Trison Detsen’s handwriting (740-798), who was believed to be an emanation of Manjushri, the god of wisdom.

In total, there are 31 relics that date to the time of the Buddha and Guru Rinpoche and many Buddhist masters through the ages.

Among the displays is the relic of Longchen Rabjampa’s brain (1308-14364), the great Nyingma master, who systematised the Nyingma teachings in his seven treasures, and wrote extensively on Dzogchen; and Terdak Lingpa’s bone (1646-1714), the 5th Dalai Lama’s teacher, Rigdzen Pema Trinle.

Naropa’s bone ornament, Marpa, the great translator’s jaw, and a fragment of Milarepa’s meditation belt are also on display.

The coordinator of the event, Gyalse trulku, said that when bodhisattvas die, they pray that their remains (in form of relics) will enlighten all living beings through their senses of light, touch, smell, taste and hearing, thereby, liberating them.

By Tenzin Namgyel