Maitreya Project Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 2002

A precious collection of sacred Buddhist relics is currently being displayed during a world tour.

This is an extremely rare opportunity. Relics are usually enshrined in temples and are rarely made available for public viewing, much less taken outside their resident countries.

The collection includes relics of the historical Buddha and his closest disciples, Maudgalyayana, Sariputra and Ananda as well as relics of many other Buddhist spiritual masters from the Chinese, Indian and Tibetan traditions.

The exhibitions are open to the public and are free.

For locations, dates and times, please visit Relic Tour Calendar, linked from the Home Page of the website at www.maitreyaproject.org

The relic collection will be permanently housed in the Heart Shrine of the 500ft/152m Maitreya Buddha statue which is being built at Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, northern India.

The relics are extraordinary pearl-like deposits which have been found in the cremation ashes of Buddhist spiritual masters. Buddhists believe these relics are formed as a result of the spiritual realisations of compassion and wisdom. There are also Buddhist artefacts and a few tooth and bone relics in the collection.

Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike visit the exhibit for spiritual blessings. The relics provide an opportunity to make a personal spiritual connection with the some to the greatest Buddhist masters of all time.

Many visitors have reported experiences of inspiration and healing while viewing the relics.

Maitreya Project is based on the premise that loving-kindness is the main cause of peace and that inner peace and outer peace share a cause and effect relationship. The statue will benefit the entire world by reminding everyone of the need for loving-kindness and peace: inner peace as well as peace within the family, the community and the world. Additionally, the Project will benefit the people of India through its economic benefits and social programmes, which include education and healthcare of international standard.

At Heart Shrine Relic exhibitions visitors can easily see the relics as they are plainly visible in their display cases.
The exhibit also provides information about Maitreya Project, including printed materials and a video presentation. This is presented in a separate area, so that the relic viewing area remains quiet and contemplative.
This is an opportunity for people of all spiritual and humanitarian persuasions to come together to pray for and visualise world peace.