THE HSWAGATA BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC PRESERVATION MUSEUM
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
Template No.: T106
Template Title: RELIC CLASSIFICATION & TYPOLOGY FORM
Related Research Case IDs / Cluster: ___________________________
Linked Templates / Policies: _________________________________
Date of form: ____ / ____ / ______
Prepared by / Role: _________________________________________
Office / Unit: ______________________________________________
Country / Location: _________________________________________
Confidentiality Level (tick one):
[ ] Internal only [ ] Restricted [ ] Sacred-Restricted / Sensitive
Use of this form (tick):
[ ] New case / action [ ] Follow-up [ ] Annual review [ ] Archive only
SECTION 1 – BASIC RELIC IDENTIFICATION
1.1 Relic Code / ID
1.2 Name / Short Title of Relic
(e.g. “Main Buddha Tooth Relic”, “Crystal Sarīra from Stupa X”)
1.3 Current Location in HSWAGATA
[ ] Main shrine / tooth relic hall
[ ] Special relic room / cabinet
[ ] Storage / vault
[ ] On loan / travelling (give place): _____________________
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
1.4 Source / How It Came to HSWAGATA
[ ] Donation / gift
[ ] Long-term loan
[ ] Short-term loan
[ ] Transfer from another temple / museum
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
Short note:
SECTION 2 – MAIN RELIC CATEGORY & TYPOLOGY
2.1 Main Relic Category (tick one main type)
[ ] Sarīra dhātu
(Body relics – from the physical body of the Buddha or disciple)
[ ] Paribhoga dhātu
(Relics from things used by the Buddha, e.g. robe, bowl)
[ ] Uddesika dhātu
(Representative / symbolic relic or image, e.g. statue, stupa)
[ ] Other / Mixed type (explain):
_________________________________________________________
2.2 Sub-Type (tick all that apply)
Body-related
[ ] Tooth
[ ] Bone / ash / pearl-like bead
[ ] Hair
[ ] Nail
[ ] Blood / bodily fluid (record with care)
[ ] Other body-related: _________________________________
Object-related
[ ] Robe / cloth
[ ] Bowl / utensil
[ ] Seat / platform
[ ] Scripture / book
[ ] Other object: _______________________________________
Symbolic / Representative
[ ] Buddha image / statue
[ ] Stupa miniature
[ ] Relic casket / container
[ ] Other: _____________________________________________
2.3 Relic Function (Devotional / Educational)
[ ] Mainly devotional (for veneration)
[ ] Mainly educational (teaching about relics)
[ ] Both devotional and educational
Short note:
2.4 Authenticity / Testing Status (tick one)
[ ] Traditional / faith-based recognition only
[ ] Under study (tests or research ongoing)
[ ] Has been tested by lab(s) – see test file code: __________
[ ] No plan to test
Short note (if needed):
SECTION 3 – PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION & CONDITION
3.1 Physical Description
Size (approx.):
-
Height / length: _________________________
-
Width / diameter: ________________________
Material (if known or suggested):
Colour(s):
Shape / notable features (e.g. round, tooth-shaped, crystal-like, marks):
3.2 Associated Container / Housing
Type of container:
[ ] Stupa
[ ] Casket / box
[ ] Glass / crystal case
[ ] Metal reliquary
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
Container description:
3.3 Condition Assessment (tick one)
[ ] Very good – stable, no clear damage
[ ] Good – small marks or ageing, not serious
[ ] Fair – some damage or risk, needs watch
[ ] Poor – serious damage, needs urgent care
Short note on condition:
3.4 Photo Documentation
[ ] Photos taken and stored
File / folder code: ________________________________________
[ ] Photos not yet taken (plan date): ____ / ____ / ______
SECTION 4 – DOCTRINAL & HERITAGE NOTES
4.1 Short Doctrinal Note
(How is this relic understood in Dhamma terms? 3–5 lines.)
4.2 Scriptural / Traditional Links (if any)
Text or story name (sutta, chronicle, local story):
Short note:
4.3 Heritage & Historical Notes
-
Link to any known king, teacher, lineage, or event:
-
Link to any case study or cluster (A–H):
4.4 Sensitivity Notes
[ ] Linked to past conflict / HGT dispute
[ ] Linked to strong miracle stories
[ ] Linked to specific ethnic / national identity
[ ] Other sensitivity: _____________________________________
Short guidance on how to speak about it:
SECTION 5 – DISPLAY RULES & ACCESS LEVEL
5.1 Public Display Category (tick one)
[ ] Open public display
– visible daily to all visitors
[ ] Limited public display
– visible only on special days or times
[ ] Restricted display
– visible only to certain groups (e.g. monks, staff, researchers)
[ ] Not for display
– kept in storage / vault only
5.2 Access Rules
Who may physically handle the relic or open its container?
[ ] Only authorised custodians
[ ] Only monastics (with lay assistant present)
[ ] Trained museum staff under supervision
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
Minimum number of persons present when handling relic:
[ ] 2 persons [ ] 3 persons [ ] Other: _________
5.3 Display Conditions
[ ] Must stay inside closed reliquary
[ ] Can be shown in open air only during ritual (explain below)
[ ] Must have low light
[ ] Must be kept away from direct sun / heat
[ ] Special environment (temperature / humidity) needed
Short description of display setup:
5.4 Visitor Interaction Rules
Photography:
[ ] Allowed freely
[ ] Allowed without flash
[ ] Only allowed with special permission
[ ] Not allowed
Touching:
[ ] No touching by visitors
[ ] Visitors may touch outside of case / railing only
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
Offerings:
[ ] Flowers allowed
[ ] Candles / lamps allowed (with safety)
[ ] Food offerings allowed
[ ] Only symbolic / non-material offerings
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
5.5 Movement Rules
[ ] Relic must not leave HSWAGATA
[ ] Relic may travel inside country with Board approval
[ ] Relic may travel abroad only under special conditions
If travel allowed, main conditions:
SECTION 6 – STORAGE & SECURITY NOTES
6.1 Storage Details (when not on display)
Room name / code: __________________________________________
Cabinet / shelf / safe number: _____________________________
Seal / lock number (if any): _______________________________
6.2 Environmental Needs
[ ] Normal room conditions are enough
[ ] Needs controlled temperature: – °C
[ ] Needs controlled humidity: – %
[ ] Special notes (materials, pests, etc.):
6.3 Security Measures
[ ] CCTV covers this relic location
[ ] Alarm or sensor connected
[ ] Restricted key access (link to key register)
[ ] Extra guard during big events
Short note:
SECTION 7 – REVIEW & CONFIRMATION
7.1 Classifier (Person Filling This Form)
Name: _______________________________________________________
Role / Position: ___________________________________________
I confirm that this classification is based on current knowledge and records.
Signature: ___________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______
7.2 Doctrinal / Heritage Reviewer
Name: _______________________________________________________
Role / Position: ___________________________________________
Checklist (tick):
[ ] Relic type (sarīra / paribhoga / uddesika) is correctly chosen
[ ] Doctrinal notes are in line with Buddhist teaching
[ ] Display rules respect the sacred nature of the relic
[ ] Any sensitive points are clearly marked
Comments:
Signature: ___________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______
SECTION 8 – ARCHIVE & LINKS
8.1 Archive Code / Digital Folder Path
8.2 Linked Forms and Documents
[ ] T102 – Relic Origin Summary Sheet (code: ______________)
[ ] Testing / lab reports (code: __________________________)
[ ] Loan or MoU documents (code: __________________________)
[ ] Photos / image sets (code: ____________________________)
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
8.3 Next Review Date for Classification
[ ] 1 year from now
[ ] 3 years from now
[ ] On this specific date: ____ / ____ / ______
Notes for future review:
END OF FORM – T106 RELIC CLASSIFICATION & TYPOLOGY FORM
