Standard Informed Consent Form (For Scientific Testing of Sacred Relics )

1. Standard Informed Consent Form

For Scientific Testing of Buddha’s Sacred Relics

Template – Appendix [X.1]

This form is for use when any scientific test is proposed on Buddha’s bodily relics or related sacred objects.

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A. Basic Information

1. Project title:

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2. Relic Testing Dossier (RTD) ID (if known):

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3. Site / Institution holding the relic:
   Name: ___________________________________________
   Address: ________________________________________
   Country: _________________________________________

4. Principal Investigator (PI):
   Name: ___________________________________________
   Institution: _____________________________________
   Email: ___________________________________________
   Phone: ___________________________________________

5. Relic identification:

   • Relic type (tooth, bone, hair, ash, etc.): __________________________

   • Local name / description: _________________________________________

   • Relic ID code (if any): ___________________________________________

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B. Purpose of the Testing

In simple language, please explain:

1. Why is this relic being tested?
   (for example: to confirm approximate age, to check material, to study container)

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2. What are the main research questions?

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C. What Will Happen?

1. Type(s) of test to be done
   (tick all that apply and give short explanation)

   • ☐ Radiocarbon dating (Carbon-14)
     Short explanation: _______________________________________________

   • ☐ DNA analysis
     Short explanation: _______________________________________________

   • ☐ Material / chemical analysis
     Short explanation: _______________________________________________

   • ☐ Imaging (X-ray, CT scan, etc.)
     Short explanation: _______________________________________________

   • ☐ Other (please explain): _________________________________________

2. Will any part of the relic be destroyed or permanently changed?

   • ☐ No, the test is non-destructive.

   • ☐ Yes, a small part will be destroyed.

   If yes, please explain clearly:

   • Estimated amount to be used (for example, in milligrams): __________

   • How the sample will be taken: ____________________________________

   • Why this is necessary: ___________________________________________

3. Laboratory / laboratories involved

   • Lab 1 name: __________________________________
     Country: _____________________

   • Lab 2 name (if any): ________________________
     Country: _____________________

   All labs agree to follow the Relic Testing Policy and to keep full records of methods and results.

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D. Possible Benefits and Risks

1. Possible benefits
   (for example: better historical understanding, protection against false claims)

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2. Possible risks or difficulties
   (for example: misunderstanding of results, emotional impact on devotees)

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3. How will risks be managed?
   (for example: calm public communication, dialogue with local community)

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E. Privacy, Data, and Publication

1. Data storage

   • Reports and raw data will be kept in the Relic Testing Dossier (RTD) archive.

   • Access levels:

     • ☐ Public summary

     • ☐ Internal detailed report

     • ☐ Confidential raw data

2. Publication and media

   • Scientific papers may be written about the results.

   • Public communication will follow the Relic Testing Policy and will respect Buddhist values and community harmony.

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F. Voluntary Agreement and Rights

• You have the right to ask questions before signing.

• You may refuse consent. There is no punishment for saying no.

• After testing has started, it may not be possible to stop the laboratory process, but your concerns will still be respected as much as possible.

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G. Signatures (Multi-layer Consent)

Each relevant group should sign its own section. Copies of this form should be given to all signatories.

1. Saṅgha / Spiritual Authority

I represent the monastic / spiritual authority responsible for this relic site. I have read and understood this form and agree that the testing may proceed.

Name: ___________________________
Title / Role: ____________________
Monastery / Council: _____________

Signature: _______________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

2. Legal Custodian Institution

I represent the legal custodian (temple, museum, or office) responsible for the relic.

Name: ___________________________
Position: ________________________
Institution: _____________________

Signature: _______________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

3. Donor Family / Community (if applicable)

I represent the donor family or community that offered this relic or reliquary.

Name: ___________________________
Relationship to donation: ________

Signature: _______________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

4. State Heritage / Government Body (if applicable)

Name: ___________________________
Position: ________________________
Agency: _________________________

Signature: _______________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

5. Principal Investigator (for information and duty)

I confirm that I will follow the Relic Testing Policy and use the relic sample with respect, honesty and care.

Name: ___________________________

Signature: _______________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

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2. Relic Testing Proposal Form

For Submission to Relic Testing Subcommittee

Template – Appendix [X.2]

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A. Project Information

1. Project title: ______________________________________________

2. Short title (maximum 20 words): ______________________________

3. Principal Investigator (PI): _________________________________

4. Institution / department: ___________________________________

5. Email: ___________________________ Phone: ___________________

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B. Relic and Location

1. Site / institution holding the relic:

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2. Relic description:

   • Type (tooth, bone, hair, ash, etc.): _____________________

   • Local name: _____________________________________________

   • Relic ID / code (if any): ________________________________

3. Current use of relic (public worship, private shrine, museum display, etc.):

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C. Research Aims and Background

1. Main research questions (bullet points):

   • ---

   • ---

   • ---

2. Background and reasons for testing (maximum 250 words):

   • historical context

   • any past doubts or disputes

   • expected contribution to heritage protection

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D. Methods and Sampling

1. Proposed tests (tick all that apply):

   • ☐ Radiocarbon dating (Carbon-14)

   • ☐ DNA analysis

   • ☐ Material / chemical analysis

   • ☐ Imaging (X-ray, CT, etc.)

   • ☐ Other: ________________________________________________

2. Sampling plan:

   • Proposed amount of sample: _______________________________

   • Exact part of relic to be sampled (if relevant): __________

   • Who will take the sample: ________________________________

   • Where sampling will happen: _____________________________

3. Laboratories:

   • Lab 1 (name, country, field): ____________________________

   • Lab 2 (if any): _________________________________________

4. Expected duration of project:
   From ____ / ____ / ______ to ____ / ____ / ______

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E. Ethical, Religious and Peace Impact

1. How will you minimise physical harm to the relic?

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2. How does the project respect Buddhist values (e.g. non-harm, truthfulness, saṅgha harmony)?

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3. Peace impact:

   • Could this testing increase conflict or mistrust between groups?
     ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Not sure

   If Yes or Not sure, please explain and suggest how to reduce risk:

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4. Community consultation plan (monks, lay devotees, donors):

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F. Governance and Documentation

1. Have you read and agreed to follow the Relic Testing Policy?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No

2. Documents attached:

   • ☐ Draft consent forms

   • ☐ Draft media / communication plan

   • ☐ Draft laboratory agreements

   • ☐ Other: ________________________________________________

3. Proposed level of public access to results:

   • ☐ Public summary only

   • ☐ Full report public

   • ☐ Restricted internal report

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G. Budget and Funding (if relevant)

1. Total budget: __________________ (currency: ____________)

2. Funding sources (grants, donors, institutions):

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3. Statement on conflict of interest:

   • Does any funder or partner gain direct status or financial benefit from a particular outcome?
     ☐ Yes ☐ No

   If Yes, explain how this will be managed:

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H. Signatures

• Principal Investigator:
  Signature: ____________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

• Head of PI’s institution or department:
  Signature: ____________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

(To be completed later by the Subcommittee)

• Decision of Relic Testing Subcommittee:
  ☐ Approved ☐ Approved with conditions ☐ Refused
  Notes / conditions:

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3. Sampling Record and Chain-of-Custody Log

Template – Appendix [X.3]

A. Sampling Record

1. RTD ID: ___________________________

2. Relic ID: __________________________

3. Site / Institution: __________________

4. Date of sampling: ____ / ____ / ______

5. Place of sampling (room, building): __________________________________

6. Description of relic at time of sampling:

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7. Sample information:

Sample ID	Part of relic / location	Approx. mass / size	Method of sampling	Person taking sample	Notes

8. People present during sampling (witnesses):

Name	Role (monk, scientist, custodian, etc.)	Signature

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B. Chain-of-Custody Log

Record every transfer of the sample from the moment it is taken until final storage or destruction.

Step No.	Date & Time	From (name & institution)	To (name & institution)	Purpose of transfer (e.g. transport to lab, analysis, return)	Container / Seal ID	Signatures (from / to)
1
2
3

Final status of sample (after testing is complete):

• ☐ Remaining material returned to custodian

• ☐ Remaining material safely stored at lab (details): ___________________

• ☐ Sample fully used / destroyed in analysis

Notes on final status:

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Responsible officer (name): ________________________________
Signature: _________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

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4. Relic Testing Dossier (RTD) Cover Sheet

Template – Appendix [X.4]

Attach this cover sheet to the front of each Relic Testing Dossier.

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A. Identification

1. RTD ID: ________________________________________

2. Relic ID / code: _______________________________

3. Relic type (tooth, bone, hair, ash, etc.): ______

4. Site / institution holding relic: _______________

5. Country: _______________________________________

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B. Project and People

1. Project title: ____________________________________________

2. Short title: ______________________________________________

3. Principal Investigator (PI): _______________________________
   Institution: _______________________________________________

4. Main laboratories:

   • Lab 1 (name, country): _________________________________

   • Lab 2 (if any): ________________________________________

5. Main contact person for dossier:
   Name: _________________________ Email: ___________________

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C. Approvals and Consent

1. Relic Testing Subcommittee decision:

   • Date of approval: ____ / ____ / ______

   • Decision: ☐ Approved ☐ Approved with conditions

2. Multi-layer consent received:

   • ☐ Saṅgha / spiritual authority

   • ☐ Legal custodian institution

   • ☐ Donor family / community (if relevant)

   • ☐ State heritage / government body (if relevant)

3. List of attached consent forms (codes or dates):

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D. Testing Summary (Short)

1. Tests performed (tick all that apply):

   • ☐ Radiocarbon dating (Carbon-14)

   • ☐ DNA analysis

   • ☐ Material / chemical analysis

   • ☐ Imaging (X-ray, CT, etc.)

   • ☐ Other: ________________________________________________

2. Sampling summary:

   • Date of sampling: ____ / ____ / ______

   • Approximate amount used: ________________________________

3. Very short statement of main findings (1–3 sentences):

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(A longer public summary and full scientific reports are attached inside the dossier.)

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E. Contents of the RTD

Tick all items included in this dossier:

• ☐ Copy of Relic Testing Proposal Form

• ☐ All consent forms

• ☐ Sampling Record and Chain-of-Custody Log

• ☐ Laboratory contracts / agreements

• ☐ Laboratory reports and raw data

• ☐ Public summary in simple language

• ☐ Media / communication materials (press releases, Q&A, etc.)

• ☐ Minutes of Subcommittee meetings related to this case

• ☐ Other documents: __________________________________________

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F. Access Level and Archive Location

1. Access level for this RTD:

   • ☐ Public (with sensitive data removed)

   • ☐ Internal (authorised staff only)

   • ☐ Confidential (restricted by special permission)

2. Physical archive location (room, shelf, box number):

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3. Digital archive location (file path / database ID):

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4. Date dossier completed: ____ / ____ / ______

Archive officer (name): ___________________________
Signature: _________________________

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