OFFICE OF SIRIDANTAMAHĀPĀLAKA / HSWAGATA MUSEUM – INTERNAL USE
Template No.: T09
Related Research Case IDs: Case 9 – Relic Site & SDG 11.4 Heritage Protection
Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Prepared by / Role: ________________________________________________
Institution / Site name: ____________________________________________
Confidentiality Level:
[ ] Public summary [ ] Internal [ ] Restricted / Sacred
1. BACKGROUND & PURPOSE
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Describe the relic site / sacred space / museum / project for which this
heritage planning note is being prepared:
Name and location:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Type of heritage:
[ ] Relic shrine / stūpa
[ ] Museum / exhibition
[ ] Monastery complex
[ ] Archaeological site
[ ] Archive / library
[ ] Other: _____________________________
Main purpose of this planning note:
(e.g. preparing grant proposal; informing government agency; internal
strategy for SDG 11.4; planning conservation and community work)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Guiding question (case-based):
How does this relic site contribute to safeguarding cultural and
spiritual heritage for the city/region, and how can we plan so that
protection remains faithful to Dhamma and truly supports the community?
Context notes (current situation, opportunities, challenges):
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2. BUDDHIST DOCTRINAL–ETHICAL LENS
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Key Buddhist meanings of this heritage:
(e.g. connection to Buddha or arahants; support for faith in the Triple
Gem; place for meditation and practice; symbol of anicca / non-ownership)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
How should we understand “heritage protection” in Buddhist terms?
- Not only preserving buildings and objects,
- But protecting conditions for practice (sīla, samādhi, paññā),
- And guarding against greed, hatred, and delusion around relics.
Write short doctrinal reflection to include in planning documents:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Guiding reflection:
How can heritage planning express trusteeship (dhammadāyāda – heir to
the Dhamma) rather than ownership (treating relics as private property)?
Practical implications:
- Attitude toward relics and structures:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
- Attitude toward donors, visitors, and future generations:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3. PEACE, CONFLICT & SDGs
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Current or potential peace/conflict issues at or around this site:
[ ] Land disputes
[ ] Tension with neighbours / other religions
[ ] Internal committee disagreements
[ ] Unequal access for different groups
[ ] Tourism pressure on local community
[ ] Other: _____________________________
Brief description:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
PEACE ANALYSIS:
- Negative peace: Are we only trying to avoid open conflict (silencing
complaints, hiding issues)?
- Positive peace: How can this heritage project promote justice,
participation, and respectful relationships?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Structural / cultural violence issues:
(e.g. benefits going only to elites or certain groups; historical
injustice not acknowledged; gender/caste barriers to participation)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
How can our SDG 11.4 plan also support:
- SDG 16 (peace, justice, strong institutions),
- SDG 17 (partnerships with state, NGOs, communities)?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Tick relevant SDGs:
[ ] SDG 11.4 – Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s
cultural and natural heritage
[ ] SDG 16 – Peace, justice, and strong institutions
[ ] SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
[ ] Other SDGs (list): _______________________________________________
4. HERITAGE VALUE & NEEDS ASSESSMENT
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A. HERITAGE VALUE (TANGIBLE & INTANGIBLE)
Describe main values of the site:
- Tangible (buildings, objects, relics, landscape):
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
- Intangible (stories, rituals, lineages, local skills, devotion):
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
B. THREATS / WEAKNESSES
Current threats to heritage:
[ ] Physical decay / lack of maintenance
[ ] Poor storage / conservation of relics or artefacts
[ ] Climate / environmental risks
[ ] Theft / security issues
[ ] Over-tourism / crowding
[ ] Neglect / lack of interest
[ ] Political or institutional instability
[ ] Other: _____________________________
Details:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
C. COMMUNITY & USER NEEDS
Main user groups:
[ ] Local devotees
[ ] Pilgrims (national)
[ ] International pilgrims / tourists
[ ] Students / researchers
[ ] Local neighbours / businesses
[ ] Others: _____________________________
Their needs and expectations (spiritual, cultural, economic, safety):
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
5. PLANNED ACTIONS & H96 REFLECTION
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Planned actions under SDG 11.4 heritage protection:
(Conservation, documentation, education, community work, governance
reforms, infrastructure, etc.)
1) __________________________________________________________________
Responsible: ___________________ Timeline: _______________________
2) __________________________________________________________________
Responsible: ___________________ Timeline: _______________________
3) __________________________________________________________________
Responsible: ___________________ Timeline: _______________________
4) __________________________________________________________________
Responsible: ___________________ Timeline: _______________________
How will these actions:
- Protect relics and heritage physically?
- Support faith and practice ethically?
- Strengthen peace and justice in the community?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
H96 reflection:
“What would a peace-oriented H96 custodian include in an SDG 11.4 plan
so that the relic site protects both the sāsana and the well-being of
all beings who depend on this place?”
Reflection notes:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Check:
Does this plan mainly seek:
[ ] Long-term trusteeship and social harmony
[ ] Short-term prestige / tourism / income
[ ] A mixture (explain and adjust):
Explanation:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
6. GOVERNANCE, PARTNERSHIPS & SAFEGUARDS
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Governance for this heritage project:
- Lead institution / office: ________________________________________
- Key partners (Saṅgha, state, NGOs, universities, local groups):
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Participation:
How will local communities, devotees, and other stakeholders be involved
in planning and decision-making?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Transparency & accountability measures:
[ ] Public reporting
[ ] Audits
[ ] Open consultation meetings
[ ] Complaint mechanism
[ ] Other: _____________________________
Brief description:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Safeguards against corruption / misuse:
(e.g. multi-signature accounts, clear procurement rules, conflict of
interest policy, oversight committee)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
7. FOLLOW-UP, MONITORING & LEARNING
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Monitoring indicators:
(list simple indicators for success – physical, social, spiritual)
Physical / conservation:
______________________________________________________________________
Social / peace:
______________________________________________________________________
Spiritual / practice:
______________________________________________________________________
Review schedule:
[ ] Annual review
[ ] Every 2–3 years
[ ] Other: ____________________________
Next review date:
____ / ____ / ______
Follow-up actions:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Lessons learned for future SDG 11.4 planning:
What does this case teach about linking relic heritage, Dhamma practice,
and peace-oriented governance?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Notes / guidance for future custodians and planners:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
