Ancient Buddhist relics visit the region

Instead of making a pilgrimage to see ancient Buddhist relics, Nelsonians will have the rare opportunity to view a private collection of the sacred objects as part of an international tour visiting the region this weekend.

Often encased inside statues, the relics will be on display as part of the Maitreya Loving Kindness tour. The event is being hosted in the region by the Chandrakirti Meditation Centre in Upper Moutere.

Tour custodians Erika Banszky and Corinna Henderson are travelling with the relics on the European, Australian and New Zealand tour, which will also visit Auckland and Christchurch.

The oldest relic is 2500 years old, and Henderson said the handmade objects in particular were of historical importance.

She said there are four different types of relics; parts of the body (hair, tooth and bone), items of clothing, items made by the teachers themselves and pearl-like objects that are found among the ashes after the masters’ bodies have been cremated.

Banszky said it is a Buddhist belief that the pearl-like relics are produced as a result of the masters’ spiritual qualities.

‘‘They leave behind this so we still have a connection with them.’’

Henderson said it is important people understand the exhibition is open to everyone, not just Buddhists. The aim is to allow people to reflect on peace, love and meditation.

‘‘I think love transcends whatever background or religion people are from,’’ she said.

The relics will be on display at Club Italia in Trafalgar St, and the sound of the bagpipes from the nearby Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands championships would make it a truly multicultural occasion, she said.

Alongside the exhibition there will be meditation sessions and public talks from Geshe Jampa Tharchin, the resident teacher at Chandrakirti Meditation Centre.

The centre’s spiritual programme co-ordinator, Venerable Thubten Khadro, encouraged people to bring their pets, children and those in need of special healing to receive personal blessings. ‘‘It is pretty amazing more than 2 million people have seen these relics,’’ she said.

‘‘People have really strong experiences with them and that’s why we are trying to create a holy environment.’’

The relics have travelled the world since 2001 and when the tour ends they will be stored inside a 159m high statue of Maitreya, the buddha of love, which is being built in Kushinagar, India.

‘‘The experience and what people feel is the most important, [the tour] is so much more than the sum of its parts,’’ said Henderson.