(WAki International Media Center 25th Oct) The speech of Venerable Bhiksu Aryamaitri,  Abbot of Ekayana Arama Buddhist Centre, Indonesia in the ceremony of the sangha members from Vihara Ekayana Arama, Indonesia welcoming Waki Relic Pagoda on 18th October 2022.

Good morning to all venerables, sangha members and abotts of the Buddhist Monasteries from Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Dr. Teo Choo Guan, President of Waki Relic Musuem and all brothers and sisters in dharma. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you for having generously rendered your help and support for this auspicious occasion. Thus making it possible for us to gather here today as one community.

Today, we are here as one group from Indonesia attending the Buddha and his disciples' relics enshrinement ceremony. As we know,Borobudur stupas in Indonesia were built long ago and the relics were enshrined in these stupas. The Relics or Saririka-Dhatu is part of the body that belonged to a holy person such as a saint, the Buddha or the Arahant for veneration. It is believed the relics can multiply and increase in number.

Many relics enshrined in this place came from the kindness, hardwork and good karmas of the most respected the late Venerable Aggamahasaddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Kittivara (Sayadaw U Kittivara) and Dr. Teo Choo Guan.  The late Sayadaw U Kittisara officially entrusted Dr. Teo to present the relics that came from the old pagodas of Myanmar to the world. Malaysia was chosen to be the International Relics Center  because it would be easier to carry out this missionary work procedurally. Dr. Teo designed and made the structures of the relic pagodas according to the wishes of the late Sayadaw U Kittivara.

The relics of Buddha we received today is remarkable as it indicates that Buddhism had made its presence not only in Indonesia but worldwide. It has been said that King Ashoka had redistributed the relics to 84,000 stupas in the past. Furthermore, the Buddha instructed his disciples to cremate his body. This was similar to the tradition of the monarch cremation ceremony. Then, the relics of buddha were distributed among various groups of his lay disciples.The relics were then enshrined in hemispherical reliquaries called stupas.

We are sincerely support for this missionary work for presenting the relic for enshrine in the world. This includes the various buddhist monasteries in Indonesia.  Hopefully, with the cultivating and practice of recollecting the virtues of Buddha (Buddhanussati), the Buddhist community worldwide will be free from suffering and understand how to achieve the path of liberation for the benefit of all sentient beings.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all senior Sangha members, Buddhist organizations, and lay donors from all the different countries worldwide for their blessings and support. My deepest gratitude and respect to all of you on behalf of the Indonesian Buddhist community and all Indonesian Buddhist monasteries. Last but not least, I would also like to thank to Dr. Teo Choo Guan, President of WAKI Relic Museum, the devotees and all lay communities for helping to make this relic receiving ceremony successfully.

We always wish that the Buddhist community from all different parts of world will follow the path of the buddha continually and the buddha sasana will flourish from now until the boundless future. Let us give full support constantly to propagate the Dharma just like our most respected teacher- Buddha. The relics reflect the Buddha to our body and mind and we gain the faith by reflecting the virtues of the Buddha.

Thank you for having us here today. Let us work together for the buddha sasana to continue flourishing. Lastly, may all beings be well and happy.

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