THE HSWAGATA BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC PRESERVATION MUSEUM
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
Template No.: T127
Template Title: Spiritual Biography & Motivation Sheet
Related Research Case IDs / Cluster: Cluster B – Non-Human Guardians & Vocation (Cases 11–20)
Linked Templates / Policies: T126 (Vocation Application & Interview), T15 (Vocational Calling Reflection), T69 (Duty of Care & Well-Being), H96 Peace-Oriented Custodian Profile, HSWAGATA 15 Principles
Date of form: ____ / ____ / ______
Prepared by / Role: _________________________________
Office / Unit: _______________________________________
Country / Location: _________________________________
Confidentiality Level:
Internal only [ ] Restricted [ ] Sacred-Restricted / Sensitive [ ]
Use of this form (tick):
New case / action [ ] Follow-up [ ] Annual review [ ] Archive only [ ]
SECTION 1 – BASIC CUSTODIAN DETAILS
1.1 Full name (as in passport / ordination):
1.2 Dharma name / monastic name (if any):
1.3 Status (tick):
[ ] Bhikkhu / Monk [ ] Bhikkhunī / Nun
[ ] Novice [ ] Lay male [ ] Lay female [ ] Other: __________
1.4 Current role in HSWAGATA:
[ ] Core Relic Custodian
[ ] Assistant Custodian
[ ] Research / Documentation Team
[ ] Security / Operations
[ ] Other: __________________________
1.5 Main country of residence: _____________________________
1.6 Contact (phone / email – internal use only):
SECTION 2 – KEY LIFE EVENTS (SHORT LIFE STORY)
Purpose: to see how life history supports peaceful custodianship and ethical vocation.
2.1 Please list 5–10 key life events that shaped who you are now
(especially events that relate to faith, ethics, service, or guardianship):
For each event, fill the table below:
| No. | Age / Year | Place | Event | Why it is important for my path |
||___________|_|_|_____________________________|
| 1. | | | | |
| 2. | | | | |
| 3. | | | | |
| 4. | | | | |
| 5. | | | | |
| 6. | | | | |
| 7. | | | | |
| 8. | | | | |
2.2 Difficult periods and lessons learned
(brief note on illness, conflict, loss, or crisis that became a lesson in Dhamma, peace, or forgiveness):
2.3 Turning point towards Dhamma practice
(when did you feel “I must really follow the Buddha’s path”?)
SECTION 3 – PRACTICE PATH (DHAMMA & MEDITATION)
Purpose: to understand inner training and capacity for peaceful guardianship.
3.1 Main tradition(s) practiced (tick all that apply):
[ ] Theravāda [ ] Mahāyāna [ ] Vajrayāna
[ ] Forest / meditation lineage: __________________________
[ ] Other: _____________________________________________
3.2 Practice summary
a) When did you begin regular Buddhist practice? (year / age)
b) Main types of practice (tick & describe):
[ ] Sīla (ethics / precepts):
– 5 precepts / 8 precepts / monastic Vinaya / other: __________
[ ] Samādhi (concentration / meditation):
– e.g. mindfulness of breathing, loving-kindness, etc.
Short note: _________________________________________
[ ] Paññā (wisdom / study):
– e.g. Abhidhamma, suttas, commentaries, etc.
Short note: _________________________________________
3.3 Retreat experience (if any)
Number of intensive retreats (3 days+): approx. ______
Longest retreat (duration, place, teacher):
Key insight or lesson from retreat life that supports relic guardianship (e.g. patience, non-attachment, compassion):
3.4 Daily practice routine (on a normal week)
-
Meditation (minutes / hours per day): ___________________
-
Chanting / pūjā: _____________________________________
-
Study / reflection: ___________________________________
-
Community service / teaching (if any): _________________
SECTION 4 – TEACHERS, LINEAGE & MENTORS
Purpose: to record spiritual support network, accountability and guidance.
4.1 Main teachers / mentors (past and present)
For each, please note if they know about your relic work.
| No. | Name & Title | Country / Monastery | Main role (meditation / Vinaya / study / life mentor) | Aware of my relic duty? (Y/N) |
||||__________________||
| 1. | | | | |
| 2. | | | | |
| 3. | | | | |
| 4. | | | | |
4.2 Lineage or ordination details (for monastics)
-
Ordination tradition (e.g. Burmese, Thai, Sri Lankan, etc.):
-
Preceptor’s name and monastery:
4.3 Mentors for peace & conflict issues
Do you have a teacher or elder you can consult when there is conflict, stress, or ethical doubt around relics?
[ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, name: _____________________________
How do they usually support you? (e.g. listening, Vinaya advice, mediation guidance)
SECTION 5 – VOCATION & INNER MOTIVATION
Purpose: to understand calling to relic custodianship and to check for peaceful, non-greedy motivation (H96 model).
5.1 First sense of “vocation”
When did you first feel called to protect or serve Buddha’s relics?
(Write a short story – 5–10 lines.)
5.2 Main motivations (tick and comment briefly)
[ ] Faith in the Buddha and gratitude
Comment: ___________________________________________
[ ] Wish to protect relics from harm / misuse
Comment: ___________________________________________
[ ] Wish to support people’s faith and peace
Comment: ___________________________________________
[ ] Wish for personal gain (status, wealth, fame)
Comment: ___________________________________________
[ ] Wish for spiritual growth / paramī (perfections)
Comment: ___________________________________________
[ ] Family / teacher asked me to take this role
Comment: ___________________________________________
[ ] Other motivation: _____________________________
Comment: ___________________________________________
5.3 Fears or concerns about this role
What worries you about becoming / being a relic custodian?
5.4 Personal strengths for guardianship
What qualities in you will help protect relics and people in a peaceful way?
(e.g. patience, honesty, calm speech, ability to say “no” to pressure, etc.)
SECTION 6 – EXPERIENCES WITH NON-HUMAN GUARDIANS (OPTIONAL / SENSITIVE)
Purpose: record important visionary experiences with humility and care. This section may be marked Sacred-Restricted.
6.1 Have you ever felt protected or guided by devas, yakkhas, nāgas, or other unseen beings in your relic work or practice?
[ ] No experiences to report
[ ] Yes – simple sense of protection / blessing
[ ] Yes – clear dream(s) or vision(s)
[ ] Yes – repeated signs / omens connected to relics
6.2 If “Yes”, please describe briefly (1–3 key experiences)
-
Keep language simple and factual (e.g. “I dreamt that…”)
-
Do not claim authority or big titles for yourself.
-
Note how the experience led to more ethics, compassion, or wisdom.
Experience 1:
Date / period: ____________________
Place / context: __________________
Description:
Main lesson for me:
Experience 2:
Experience 3:
6.3 How do you check such experiences?
[ ] Discuss with teacher / elder
[ ] Compare with suttas / Vinaya
[ ] Use T20 Visionary Experience Reporting Form
[ ] Keep private and watch long-term effects on mind
Short note: how do you avoid pride, delusion, or misuse of such stories?
SECTION 7 – VOWS & PERSONAL COMMITMENTS
Purpose: record key vows that guide your guardianship of relics, in line with Vinaya, HSWAGATA 15 Principles, and peace model H96.
7.1 Basic ethical ground
Please tick those you keep regularly:
[ ] Five precepts (as lay)
[ ] Eight precepts (Uposatha / special days)
[ ] Ten precepts / novice training
[ ] Full monastic Vinaya
[ ] Additional personal precept(s): _______________________
7.2 Relic-related vows (write in your own words; examples below)
a) Vow of honesty and transparency
“I will not lie or hide truth about relic provenance, testing, or ownership.”
My wording:
b) Vow of non-corruption and no-gift abuse
“I will not use relics to seek personal wealth, titles, or political power.”
My wording:
c) Vow of non-violence and peace
“I will not use relics to create hatred, division, or threats between people or nations.”
My wording:
d) Vow of care and non-neglect
“I will not neglect the relics or allow them to be stored in unsafe or disrespectful places.”
My wording:
e) Any special vow you have made in front of the relics, teachers, or devas (if not too private to record):
7.3 Commitment to HSWAGATA norms
I understand and commit myself to:
-
Follow the 15 Ethical Principles of HSWAGATA.
-
Respect the “no-gift / anti-corruption” policies.
-
Obey institutional decisions on relic movements, testing, or public statements.
-
Protect the emotional and spiritual well-being of myself and others (see T69).
Signature of custodian: ___________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______
SECTION 8 – WELL-BEING & SUPPORT CHECK (SHORT)
Purpose: early care for the custodian, to avoid burnout, trauma, or moral injury.
8.1 Current state (tick one in each line)
Physical health:
[ ] Strong [ ] Manageable issues [ ] Serious issues – needs attention
Emotional state:
[ ] Mostly stable [ ] Sometimes overwhelmed [ ] Often stressed / anxious
Support network:
[ ] Strong (family / saṅgha / friends)
[ ] Some support
[ ] Very limited support
8.2 Main sources of support
Who can you talk to when you are under pressure in relic work?
8.3 Immediate needs (if any)
[ ] Rest / retreat
[ ] Counselling or listening support
[ ] Mediation help in a conflict
[ ] Medical check
[ ] Other: _____________________________________________
Short note:
SECTION 9 – REVIEW & SIGN-OFF
9.1 Prepared by (name / role):
9.2 Date of completion: ____ / ____ / ______
9.3 Recommended confidentiality level for this completed form:
[ ] Internal only [ ] Restricted [ ] Sacred-Restricted / Sensitive
9.4 Linked files (tick / fill as relevant):
[ ] T126 Vocation Application & Interview Form
[ ] T15 Vocational Calling Reflection Sheet
[ ] T20 Visionary Experience Reporting Form
[ ] T69 Duty of Care & Well-Being Plan
[ ] Other: _____________________________________________
9.5 Supervisor / Siridantamahāpālaka review (if required)
Name: ___________________________
Role: ____________________________
Comments:
Signature: ________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______
