Public Exhibition of the Historical Buddha’s Relics Comes to Sedona

Sedona AZ (November 24, 2014) – Maitreya Loving Kindness Tour, a free public exhibition of ancient and sacred relics of the historical Buddha and other masters from India, Tibet & China will be on display in Sedona on: Friday, Dec. 5, (6pm – 8pm); Saturday Dec. 6, (10am – 5pm); and Sunday Dec. 7, (10am – 5pm); at the 7 Centers Yoga Arts 2115 Mountain Road, Sedona, Arizona 86336.

His Holiness the Dalia Lama has graciously offered many relics of the historical Buddha (called Shakyamuni Buddha, Gautama or Sidartha Buddha) to the collection that are over 2,600 years old each. Relics of the Buddha have also been offered from the Sakya Reliquary in Tibet and also from Meiktila Museum in Burma that has housed the Buddha Relics for many hundreds of years. The tour also features relics from 40 other Dharma masters from different parts of the world, in all there are over 3,000 relics in this collection.

Most of the relics in this collection resemble beautiful, pearl-like crystals that in Tibetan are called ‘ringsel’ and in Sanskrit they are known as ‘Sarira.’ It is believed that relics embody the master’s spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom and are deliberately produced by the master at his death. The crystal relics were found among the cremation ashes of these masters.

Visitors often report experiences of inspiration and healing when in the presence of the relics. While some are inspired to pray for world peace and to develop their inner wisdom, others are overcome by emotion as the powerful effects of the relics open their hearts to compassion and loving-kindness.  “I didn’t know love like that, or peace on that level existed”Nate Choporian, Ansonia, Connecticut

The tour was created in 2001 by the modern day Buddhist master Lama Zopa Rinpoche who was born in Nepal and remains the spiritual director of the Tour to this day. The Tour has visited 68 countries and over 2.3 million people have seen the relics. 2014 Tour stops include New York, Seattle, Sedona, Tucson, San Francisco & Charlottesville.

Maitreya Loving Kindness Tour events are multi-faith, multi-cultural and are always free to attend. The exhibition is intended for people from all walks of life and faith, to learn about and to experience the historical relics.

The relics are clearly visible inside display cases that encircle a life-size, golden statue of the Maitreya Buddha.Maitreya Buddha is the Buddha of Loving Kindness and Peace.

“The very name ‘Maitri’, that’s loving-kindness. Now in today’s world, we really need the promotion of Maitreya, Maitri, loving-kindness.” – His Holiness the Dalai Lama