"သမ္မာသမ္ဗုဒ္ဓဿ ဓာတုယော ရက္ခိတုံ ကတံ မဟာသစ္စဝစနပညာပနံ ဓာတုဓာရကေန"

"သမ္မာသမ္ဗုဒ္ဓဿ ဓာတုယော ရက္ခိတုံ ကတံ မဟာသစ္စဝစနပညာပနံ ဓာတုဓာရကေန"

"ဓာတုဓာရဏဉ္စ ရက္ခဏသမ္မတိ ပညာပနံ သတ္ထု ဓာတုယော ပရိဿာဝနံ ပဋိဇာနနံ

သဗ္ဗေသံ သတ္တာနံ - မနုဿာနဉ္စ ဒေဝတာနဉ္စ၊ ရူပိနော အရူပိနော စ - အဉ္ဇလီ ပဂ္ဂယှ သုဏန္တု။

ဣဒါနိ၊ ဣမသ္မိံ ဓမ္မရက္ခဏကာလေ၊ ပါပကမ္မာနံ ဥဗ္ဗေဂေန စ ဓာတူနံ ဥပဒ္ဒဝေန ပီဠိယမာနေ၊ အဟံ - ယောဟံ သတ္ထု ဓာတူနံ မာနုသ-ဓာတုဓာရကော၊ သဗ္ဗစိတ္တေန ဣမံ သစ္စဝစနံ ပကာသယာမိ။"

"ဓာတုယော အပရာဓံ ပဋိစ္စ၊ ဒေဝတာနံ ယက္ခာနဉ္စ ရက္ခာပဋိပတ္တိံ ယာစာမိ။
ယထာ ပုဗ္ဗေ၊ စာတုမဟာရာဇိကဒေဝါ၊ ယက္ခဂဏာ၊ စေတိယဒေဝတာ စ သတ္ထု ဓာတုယော ရက္ခိံသု၊ ဧဝံ-ဣဒါနိ ပိ၊ တုမှာကံ ကရဏီယံ ပတိပဇ္ဇထ။
အာပဒါယ ဓာတူနံ၊ မာကံ ရက္ခာယ၊ ကာလမာပဇ္ဇိတွာ အကာလစရိတာနံ ပုရတော ဒုက္ကရံ အကာသိံသု။ ဣဒါနိ၊ တုမှေ အပ္ပဋိဝါဏာ ဟုတွာ ဓာတုယော ရက္ခထ။"

"ဓာတုယော အပရာဓံ ကရောန္တာ - ယထာရူပံ ဝါ အနာရူပံ ဝါ - သဗ္ဗံ အပရာဓံ ပဋိဝိဇ္ဈန္တု။
ယေသံ စေတသာ ဝါ ကာယေန ဝါ ဝါစာယ ဝါ၊ ဓာတုယော ဥပဃာတံ ကရောန္တိ၊ တေ မာ ပမာဒါ မောစယန္တု။ ဓမ္မေန ဒေဝတာနံ အဓိကာရော ဧတ္ထ ဝတ္တတိ။"

အဟံ၊ မာနုသဓာတုဓာရကော၊ မမ ရက္ခာပဋိပတ္တိံ ပုနပ္ပုနံ ပကာသယာမိ။
ဘဂဝတော ဓာတုယော သဗ္ဗပ္ပကာရတော ရက္ခိဿာမိ၊ ဓမ္မေန၊ ဝိနယေန၊ သမစိတ္တေန စ။
အနုဗုဒ္ဓါနဉ္စ ဩဝါဒေ ဌတွာ၊ ဣမံ ဓမ္မာနုဓမ္မံ ဓာရေန္တော၊ အပရိမာဏံ ဟိတသုခံ ဇနေဿာမိ။

ဧသ မေ သစ္စဝစနော ဉာတိပညတ္တိ၊ ဒေဝတာနံ သကလဒဿနံ ဟောတု။
ဘဂဝတော၊ ဓမ္မသင်္ဃဿ စ ရက္ခာ သဒာ ဇယတု။
သတ္ထု ဓာတုယော ဒီဃာယုကံ ပါလေတု - ဣဓ လောကေ အနာဂတေ စ။

ဣဿရိယဋ္ဌာနေ ဒိန္နော: သောဠသ-ပဏ္ဏရသမ ဒိဝသံ၊ ဇေဋ္ဌမာသဿ

(ခရစ်နှစ်: ဇွန်လ ၁၇ ရက်၊ ၂၀၂၅၊ ဗုဒ္ဓသက္ကရာဇ်: ၂၅၆၉)

ဓာတုဓာရကော: ဘိက္ခု ဓမ္မသမိ (ဣန္ဒသောမ သိရိဒန္တမဟာပါလက)

သာကစ္ဆိတော: ဒေဝဂဏာ၊ ယက္ခာ၊ သီလဝတ္ထေရာ စ

Important Announcement: Security Breach on Our Blog Website

 Dear Readers,

We regret to inform you that our blog website has been attacked and hacked by an unknown entity. This unfortunate incident has affected the security of our platform, and we are actively investigating the breach.

Our team is working diligently to restore the website, strengthen security measures, and ensure this does not happen again. If you have visited our website recently, we recommend:

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✅ Change any associated passwords as a precaution.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your patience as we work to resolve this issue. Your support means the world to us, and we will provide further updates as soon as possible.

Due to digital security concerns, I will no longer be posting articles on this blog. However, I remain committed to sharing valuable insights and research through my upcoming book series. I encourage you to explore Custodians of the Buddha's Sacred Relics, Vol. 1 & 2, and stay tuned for future installments in the series.

I sincerely appreciate your support and understanding. Thank you for being a part of this journey.For any urgent concerns, please reach out to us at saodhammasami@hswagata.com

Stay safe and thank you for your understanding

The Author

Paying homage to the Panca ananta guna(the five objects of endless gratitude and veneration)

Paying homage to the Panca ananta guna, which translates to "the five objects of endless gratitude and veneration" in Buddhism, is a significant and spiritually meaningful practice. These five objects are revered and honored by Buddhists for their pivotal role in the spiritual journey. Here's an elaboration on paying homage to each of these objects:

1. Buddha (Buddhasassa):

• Paying homage to the Buddha involves expressing gratitude and reverence to Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, who attained enlightenment and taught the path to liberation from suffering. Buddhists bow or make offerings as a sign of respect to his wisdom, compassion, and the teachings of the Dharma.

2. Dharma (Dhammassa):

• The Dharma represents the teachings of the Buddha, including the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Paying homage to the Dharma means acknowledging its transformative power in guiding individuals toward liberation and understanding the nature of suffering and its cessation.

3. Sangha (Sanghassa):

• The Sangha consists of the monastic community of ordained monks and nuns who have dedicated their lives to practicing and preserving the Buddha's teachings. Paying homage to the Sangha acknowledges their spiritual achievements, guidance, and the preservation of the Dharma through generations.

4. Parents (Mitapitussa):

• Honoring and paying homage to parents is a universal moral value in Buddhism. It signifies gratitude for the care, love, and support parents provide. By honoring parents, Buddhists recognize the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of compassion and filial piety.

5. Teachers (Acariyassa):

• Paying homage to teachers or spiritual guides acknowledges the role of mentors who impart knowledge and guidance in the practice of Buddhism. It expresses gratitude for their wisdom and dedication to nurturing spiritual growth.

Paying homage to the Panca ananta guna reflects the core values of gratitude, respect, and recognition of the fundamental elements in one's spiritual journey. This practice reinforces the interconnectedness of all beings and serves as a reminder of the path to enlightenment and liberation from suffering as taught by the Buddha.

Remembering Silanussati: 

This part of the ceremony involves recalling and reflecting upon the principles of Sila. Silanussati is a practice where individuals contemplate and remember the ethical guidelines and precepts they aim to follow in their daily lives. This reflection serves as a reminder of the importance of moral conduct and guides one's actions towards virtuous behavior.

The recitation of the Silanussati typically involves remembering the Five Precepts, which are the foundational moral guidelines for Buddhists:

1. Refraining from taking life (not harming other living beings).

2. Refraining from taking what is not given (not stealing).

3. Refraining from sexual misconduct (engaging in responsible and ethical sexual behavior).

4. Refraining from false speech (truthfulness and honesty).

5. Refraining from intoxicants that cloud the mind (not indulging in substances that lead to heedlessness).

Making a Vow of Sila: 

After reflecting on the principles of Sila, individuals often make a solemn vow or commitment to uphold these ethical precepts in their daily lives. This vow signifies a sincere intention to live in accordance with the moral values taught by the Buddha.

The purpose of this practice is to cultivate mindfulness and ethical living. By remembering and making a vow of Sila, individuals strengthen their commitment to leading a life free from harmful actions and promote harmony and well-being for themselves and others.

This ceremony emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct as a foundational practice in Buddhism. It encourages practitioners to integrate these moral principles into their daily routines, promoting a sense of responsibility, compassion, and mindfulness in their interactions with others and the world around them.

The relationship between peace and Silanussati (recollection of virtuous conduct) in Buddhism is closely intertwined. Silanussati is a practice that emphasizes the recollection and contemplation of ethical principles and moral precepts. This practice plays a significant role in promoting peace, both individually and within society. Here's an explanation of how Silanussati contributes to peace:

1. Internal Peace: Silanussati begins with self-reflection and mindfulness of one's actions and intentions. By regularly recollecting and contemplating the Five Precepts (the fundamental moral guidelines in Buddhism), individuals become more aware of their behavior and its consequences. This self-awareness promotes inner peace by reducing inner conflicts and cognitive dissonance. When individuals strive to align their actions with ethical principles, they experience a sense of harmony and tranquility within themselves.

2. Harmonious Relationships: The Five Precepts encourage practitioners to avoid harming others, engage in honest communication, and respect the boundaries and well-being of fellow beings. By following these precepts, individuals foster harmonious relationships with family, friends, and society. Ethical conduct is a cornerstone of peaceful interactions, as it reduces conflicts, misunderstandings, and harm to others.

3. Community and Societal Peace: When a significant portion of a community or society practices Silanussati and upholds ethical principles, it contributes to an overall sense of peace and well-being. Communities that value ethical living tend to be more cohesive and less prone to violence or social discord. This promotes social harmony and stability.

4. Conflict Resolution: Silanussati encourages practitioners to cultivate qualities like patience, forgiveness, and compassion. These qualities are essential for resolving conflicts peacefully and constructively. When individuals approach conflicts with a commitment to ethical conduct, they are more likely to seek peaceful solutions rather than resorting to aggression or violence.

5. Global Peace: The principles underlying Silanussati extend beyond individual and community levels to promote peace on a global scale. Ethical living, grounded in the Five Precepts, advocates for non-violence, environmental responsibility, and social justice. These principles are in line with efforts to address global issues such as climate change, human rights violations, and armed conflicts.

Silanussati serves as a foundation for peace by fostering internal harmony, promoting harmonious relationships, contributing to community and societal peace, facilitating conflict resolution, and aligning with global peace initiatives. By adhering to ethical principles and regularly reflecting on them, individuals and communities can actively promote a more peaceful and compassionate world.

Hswagata's role as a peace-maker in his mission and vision can be understood through several key aspects of his work and practice:

1. Promotion of Ethical Conduct: Hswagata's mission involves encouraging individuals to adhere to ethical principles and virtuous conduct. By emphasizing the importance of Silanussati (recollection of virtuous conduct) and mindfulness in daily life, he promotes a sense of personal peace within individuals. When people lead ethical lives, it reduces conflicts, both internal and external, contributing to a more peaceful world.

2. Conflict Resolution: Hswagata's teachings and practices include conflict resolution techniques rooted in Buddhist principles. He equips individuals with the tools to resolve conflicts peacefully, emphasizing qualities like patience, compassion, and forgiveness. By empowering people with these skills, he contributes to peaceful interactions and the prevention of violence.

3. Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation: Hswagata's work often involves teaching mindfulness techniques. Mindfulness cultivates self-awareness and emotional regulation, enabling individuals to respond to challenging situations with composure rather than reacting impulsively. This emotional intelligence is crucial for diffusing conflicts and promoting peaceful coexistence.

4. Community Building: Hswagata's vision likely includes the establishment of harmonious and ethical communities. By guiding individuals and communities to live by ethical principles, he fosters a sense of unity and cooperation. Communities that share common values and engage in ethical practices tend to be more peaceful and resilient.

5. Global Peace Advocacy: Hswagata's mission may extend to advocating for global peace and social justice. Ethical living, as promoted in his teachings, includes compassion for all living beings and environmental responsibility. These principles align with broader movements aimed at addressing global issues such as climate change, poverty, and inequality.

6. Conflict Transformation: Rather than merely resolving conflicts, Hswagata's approach may involve transforming conflicts into opportunities for growth and understanding. By reframing conflicts as learning experiences and opportunities for personal and collective development, he contributes to long-term peace-building efforts.

7. Education and Awareness: Hswagata's work likely includes educating people about the consequences of violence and the benefits of peaceful coexistence. Raising awareness about the importance of ethical living and mindfulness can inspire individuals to make conscious choices that lead to a more peaceful world.

8. Compassion and Loving-Kindness: Central to Hswagata's mission is the cultivation of compassion and loving-kindness (Metta). These qualities are at the heart of peacemaking efforts. When individuals extend genuine compassion and kindness to others, it fosters understanding, reconciliation, and ultimately, peace.

Hswagata's mission and vision as a peace-maker revolve around guiding individuals and communities toward ethical living, mindfulness, compassion, and conflict resolution. By instilling these values and practices, he contributes to personal, interpersonal, and global peace, aligning his work with the timeless teachings of Buddhism and the pursuit of a more harmonious world.

The Sacred Ceremony of Relic Invocation

Introduction

The ceremony of relic invocation, known as "Hswa Ga Ta" in Buddhist tradition, is a sacred and profound ritual that holds great significance for devout Buddhists. It involves a series of rituals and acts of devotion that serve to deepen one's connection with the Buddha and his teachings. In this chapter, we will delve into the 10 Agenda for Taking Relics, a structured guide that outlines the key steps and practices involved in the relic invocation ceremony.

1. Paying Homage to the Panca Ananta Guna

The ceremony begins with deep reverence for the Panca Ananta Guna, the five objects of endless gratitude and veneration. This act of homage is a reflection of the profound respect and gratitude towards the Buddha and his teachings. Each of these objects holds a special place in the hearts of Buddhists, symbolizing the core principles of Buddhism.

2. Paying Homage to the 10 Great Friends

One of the fundamental aspects of the relic invocation ceremony is acknowledging and paying homage to the 10 Great Friends. These revered figures, including the Lord Buddha, Pyitsayka Buddha (individual enlightened one), and Arahat (saint monks), are held in the highest regard. This act of reverence serves as a reminder of the virtues and qualities one aspires to embody on their spiritual journey.

3. Invocation of the Deities

The ceremony involves invoking the blessings of deities. This spiritual invocation seeks divine assistance in ensuring the purity and sanctity of the ritual. By inviting these divine beings, participants seek their guidance and protection throughout the ceremony.

4. Remembering Silanussati and Making a Vow of Sila

Silanussati, the recollection of virtuous conduct and ethical principles, plays a central role in the relic invocation ceremony. Participants reflect on the importance of upholding the Five Precepts and making a vow to observe them. This vow of Sila signifies a commitment to virtuous living and moral conduct.

5. Offering Flowers, Water, and Light

The act of offering flowers, water, and light to the Buddha, Pyitsayka Buddha, and Arahat is a symbolic gesture of devotion and reverence. These offerings represent purity, clarity, and the illumination of wisdom. Participants express their respect and gratitude through these meaningful offerings.

6. Invocation of Relics

As the ceremony progresses, the relics are formally invoked. This step involves calling upon the sacred relics and inviting their presence. It marks the moment when participants establish a spiritual connection with the relics, acknowledging their significance in the Buddhist tradition.

7. Giving Relics

Participants have the privilege of receiving relics during the ceremony. This act of giving relics signifies the transfer of blessings and spiritual merit. It is a moment of profound significance, as individuals accept the relics with utmost reverence and devotion.

8. Sharing Merits

Sharing merits is an essential aspect of the ceremony. Participants dedicate the merits accumulated through the ritual to all sentient beings. This altruistic act embodies the spirit of compassion and selflessness, reflecting the core teachings of Buddhism.

9. Sending Loving-Kindness

The ceremony encourages the cultivation of loving-kindness (Metta) towards all living beings. Participants extend their heartfelt well-wishes and positive intentions to others, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and goodwill.

10. Accepting Loving-Kindness

In the final step, participants open their hearts to receive loving-kindness from others. This reciprocal act of receiving loving-kindness reinforces the sense of community and mutual support among practitioners.

In the following sections, we will explore each of these agenda items in greater detail, providing insights into their spiritual significance and the practices associated with them.

This chapter provides an overview of the 10 Agenda for Taking Relics, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of each agenda item in subsequent sections. It emphasizes the profound spiritual journey that participants undertake during the relic invocation ceremony.

Practices and Abstentions

Explanation of Practices and Activities that Hswagata Abstains From:

Commercial Exploitation:

Hswagata Buddha Tooth Relics Preservation Museum adamantly abstains from any form of commercial exploitation related to the sacred Buddha relics. This includes refraining from selling relics or any items associated with the relics for profit. The core belief is that these relics are not commodities but revered artifacts embodying the teachings of Lord Buddha. Engaging in commercial activities with the relics would be seen as a sacrilegious act, contradicting the principles of reverence and respect.

Unethical Exhibition: 

The museum maintains a strict policy against engaging in exhibition practices that could be perceived as unethical or disrespectful. It abstains from any form of sensationalism, inappropriate displays, or activities that might compromise the solemnity and dignity of the relics. Hswagata is committed to ensuring that the relics are presented in a manner that aligns with the highest standards of reverence and cultural sensitivity.

Unauthorized Replication:

Hswagata Museum unequivocally abstains from endorsing or participating in the replication or reproduction of the Buddha relics. Unauthorized replication can lead to confusion and misrepresentation, potentially diluting the authenticity and sanctity of the relics. The museum recognizes that any attempt at replication should only be undertaken with the utmost care, respect, and adherence to ethical guidelines.

Irresponsible Handling: 

The custodians at Hswagata Museum are rigorously trained to abstain from any form of irresponsible or careless handling of the Buddha relics. They follow meticulously prescribed protocols for the proper care, preservation, and safekeeping of the relics. Irresponsible handling is not only inconsistent with the reverence due to these sacred artifacts but also risks causing inadvertent damage or harm.

Conflict and Controversy: 

Hswagata Museum is committed to abstaining from any activities or practices that may incite conflict, controversy, or disrespect towards the Buddha relics or Buddhist teachings. This includes refraining from participating in debates or discussions that have the potential to lead to disharmony. The museum's primary goal is to maintain an atmosphere of reverence and tranquility, where visitors can engage with the relics in a spirit of peace and reflection.

The Reasons Behind These Abstentions:

The abstentions observed by Hswagata Museum are driven by profound reasons deeply rooted in Buddhist values and principles:

Preservation of Sacredness:

Abstaining from commercial exploitation, unethical exhibition, and unauthorized replication is essential for preserving the sacredness of the Buddha relics. These practices could compromise the profound reverence with which these relics are held within the Buddhist tradition and beyond.

Respect for Authenticity: 

Refraining from unauthorized replication ensures that the authenticity of the relics remains unblemished. Authenticity is paramount in preserving the historical and spiritual significance of the relics, as any doubts about their genuineness could undermine their cultural and religious importance.

Ethical Custodianship: 

Abstaining from irresponsible handling is a testament to the ethical custodianship practiced at Hswagata Museum. It signifies a commitment to ensuring the safety, preservation, and responsible care of the relics in alignment with Buddhist principles of compassion and reverence.

Promotion of Harmony: 

Avoiding activities that may incite conflict or controversy is consistent with Buddhism's emphasis on peace and harmony. The museum's commitment to these abstentions contributes to maintaining a harmonious environment for visitors and the broader community, fostering an atmosphere of tranquility and respect.

Alignment with Buddhist Principles: 

These abstentions are an embodiment of core Buddhist principles such as compassion, non-violence, and ethical conduct. They serve as a living manifestation of the teachings of Lord Buddha, reinforcing the museum's role as a guardian of these values.The Hswagata Museum's practices and abstentions serve as a safeguard for the sanctity, authenticity, and cultural significance of the Buddha relics. 

They embody a profound commitment to upholding the reverence, ethics, and principles associated with Buddhism, ensuring that visitors and future generations can engage with these relics in an environment of deep respect and spiritual reflection.

An agenda for the 10 key activities involved in taking relics during the Hswa Ga Ta ceremony, along with the purpose of each agenda:

Agenda 1: Paying Homage to the Panca Ananta Guna

• Purpose: To express endless gratitude and veneration to fundamental aspects of Buddhism, fostering a deep sense of respect and reverence for the core teachings and principles of the faith.

Agenda 2: Paying Homage to the 10 Great Friends

• Purpose: To seek forgiveness for accumulated sins and errors while paying homage to 10 significant figures in Buddhism, reinforcing the importance of humility, forgiveness, and gratitude.

Agenda 3: Invocation of Deities

• Purpose: To invoke the presence and blessings of divine beings to bear witness to the ceremony and support the participants in their commitment to following the Buddha's teachings and upholding virtuous conduct.

Agenda 4: Remembering Silanussati and Making a Vow of Sila

• Purpose: To recall the principles of virtuous conduct (Sila) and to make a solemn vow to adhere to these precepts, promoting ethical living, and mindfulness in daily life.

Agenda 5: Offering Flowers, Water, and Light

• Purpose: To symbolize devotion and respect for the Buddha, Pyitsayka Buddha, and Araha, and to express the aspiration for purity, wisdom, and the illumination of one's own path toward enlightenment.

Agenda 6: Invocation of Relics

• Purpose: To formally invoke and welcome the relics into one's possession, recognizing their sacredness and the responsibility of safeguarding and venerating them.

Agenda 7: Giving Relics

• Purpose: To offer a portion of the relics, symbolizing generosity, and the willingness to share the blessings and merits accrued through this ceremony with others.

Agenda 8: Sharing Merits

• Purpose: To collectively dedicate the merits generated during the ceremony to benefit all sentient beings, fostering a sense of altruism and compassion.

Agenda 9: Sending Loving-Kindness

• Purpose: To cultivate loving-kindness (metta) and compassion (karuna) by directing well-wishes and positive intentions toward oneself and all beings, promoting inner peace and harmonious relationships.

•

Agenda 10: Accepting Loving-Kindness

• Purpose: To receive and acknowledge the loving-kindness and positive energy generated during the ceremony, promoting a sense of interconnectedness and gratitude within the community.

These agendas collectively serve to deepen one's connection to the Buddhist tradition, promote virtuous living, and create an atmosphere of spiritual growth, compassion, and inner peace within the individual and the community.

What Hswagata may request from practitioners before they take relics to their own place:

The 10 key activities involved in taking relics during the Hswa Ga Ta ceremony, along with the purpose of each agenda:

Agenda 1: Paying Homage to the Panca Ananta Guna

• Purpose: To express endless gratitude and veneration to fundamental aspects of Buddhism, fostering a deep sense of respect and reverence for the core teachings and principles of the faith.

Agenda 2: Paying Homage to the 10 Great Friends

• Purpose: To seek forgiveness for accumulated sins and errors while paying homage to 10 significant figures in Buddhism, reinforcing the importance of humility, forgiveness, and gratitude.

Agenda 3: Invocation of Deities

• Purpose: To invoke the presence and blessings of divine beings to bear witness to the ceremony and support the participants in their commitment to following the Buddha's teachings and upholding virtuous conduct.

Agenda 4: Remembering Silanussati and Making a Vow of Sila

• Purpose: To recall the principles of virtuous conduct (Sila) and to make a solemn vow to adhere to these precepts, promoting ethical living, and mindfulness in daily life.

Agenda 5: Offering Flowers, Water, and Light

• Purpose: To symbolize devotion and respect for the Buddha, Pyitsayka Buddha, and Araha, and to express the aspiration for purity, wisdom, and the illumination of one's own path toward enlightenment.

Agenda 6: Invocation of Relics

• Purpose: To formally invoke and welcome the relics into one's possession, recognizing their sacredness and the responsibility of safeguarding and venerating them.

Agenda 7: Giving Relics

• Purpose: To offer a portion of the relics, symbolizing generosity, and the willingness to share the blessings and merits accrued through this ceremony with others.

Agenda 8: Sharing Merits

• Purpose: To collectively dedicate the merits generated during the ceremony to benefit all sentient beings, fostering a sense of altruism and compassion.

Agenda 9: Sending Loving-Kindness

• Purpose: To cultivate loving-kindness (metta) and compassion (karuna) by directing well-wishes and positive intentions toward oneself and all beings, promoting inner peace and harmonious relationships.

Agenda 10: Accepting Loving-Kindness

• Purpose: To receive and acknowledge the loving-kindness and positive energy generated during the ceremony, promoting a sense of interconnectedness and gratitude within the community.

These agendas collectively serve to deepen one's connection to the Buddhist tradition, promote virtuous living, and create an atmosphere of spiritual growth, compassion, and inner peace within the individual and the community.

What Hswagata may request from practitioners before they take relics to their own place:

Virtuous Conduct and Ethical Guidelines

Emphasis on Moral Principles and Virtuous Conduct:

Buddhism, at its core, is a spiritual path that places great emphasis on ethical conduct. In the Buddhist tradition, virtuous behavior is not just a moral obligation; it is seen as an essential aspect of the path to enlightenment. Hswagata Buddha Tooth Relics Preservation Museum, as a custodian of sacred relics and a beacon of Buddhist teachings, fully embraces these moral principles and virtuous conduct.

Buddhist Ethical Foundations: 

Buddhism outlines a set of ethical guidelines known as the Five Precepts. These precepts are:

Refraining from harming living beings.

Abstaining from stealing.

Avoiding sexual misconduct.

Speaking truthfully and avoiding lying.

Not consuming intoxicants that cloud the mind.

These principles serve as the foundation of ethical conduct in Buddhism and provide a framework for leading a life of compassion, honesty, and mindfulness.

Hswagata's Commitment: 

The custodians and staff at Hswagata Museum are deeply committed to upholding these Buddhist ethical foundations. Their custodianship of the Buddha relics goes beyond mere preservation; it is a demonstration of reverence and responsibility guided by these moral principles.

Significance of Adhering to Ethical Guidelines:

Adhering to ethical guidelines is of paramount importance for Hswagata Museum and the broader Buddhist community:

Preservation of Sacredness: 

Ethical conduct is essential for preserving the sacredness and sanctity of the Buddha relics. It ensures that the relics are treated with the utmost respect, in accordance with Buddhist values.

Trust and Credibility: 

Adhering to ethical guidelines enhances trust and credibility within the Buddhist community and among visitors. When individuals see that the relics are cared for ethically, it strengthens their faith in the museum and its custodians.

Karmic Consequences: 

Buddhism teaches the concept of karma, where actions have consequences. Custodians understand that their actions have karmic implications, and virtuous conduct leads to positive karmic outcomes.

Community and Global Harmony: 

Ethical custodianship contributes to the broader goals of community and global harmony. By promoting virtuous conduct, the museum becomes a model of ethical living, inspiring visitors to incorporate these principles into their lives.

Educational Role:

Hswagata serves as an educational institution, and part of its mission is to impart Buddhist teachings. Adhering to ethical guidelines allows the museum to exemplify these teachings in practice, providing valuable lessons for visitors on the importance of virtuous conduct.

Ethical Guidelines in Practice:

The practical application of ethical guidelines at Hswagata Museum encompasses several key aspects:

Transparency:

Ethical custodianship involves complete transparency in all museum operations. This includes financial transparency, decision-making processes, and adherence to established protocols. Transparency is foundational in building trust and credibility.

Accountability: 

Custodians and staff are held accountable for their actions and decisions. This includes responsibility for the safety of the relics, ethical exhibition practices, and compliance with legal and cultural protocols.

Community Engagement: 

Ethical custodianship extends to engaging with the local Buddhist community and visitors. It involves actively seeking feedback, addressing concerns, and involving the community in decision-making processes. This inclusive approach ensures that the relics are not isolated but are shared with the community in a spirit of cooperation.

Conflict Resolution: 

Ethical guidelines encompass processes for resolving conflicts or disputes related to the relics or museum operations. These processes prioritize non-violence, mediation, and peaceful resolution, aligning with Buddhist principles of conflict resolution.

The virtuous conduct and adherence to ethical guidelines are foundational principles in Hswagata's mission and the broader context of Buddhism. 

These principles ensure the preservation of the sacredness of Buddha relics, foster trust and credibility, and contribute to community and global harmony. 

Ethical custodianship serves as a beacon of moral living and aligns closely with the educational role of the museum in imparting Buddhist teachings.

The Buddha Tooth Relics, including ashes, hairs, and bones, are indeed highly revered and considered sacred in Buddhism. These relics are believed to be tangible connections to the historical Buddha, Gautama Buddha. In the case of Sao Dhammasami and the Hswagata Buddha Tooth Relics Preservation Museum, their custodianship of these relics is a significant responsibility.

To ensure the safety and preservation of these precious relics, it is common for such artifacts to be stored in secure locations. Bank safe boxes are one of the secure options available for safeguarding valuable items like the Buddha Tooth Relics. These safe boxes provide protection against theft, damage, and environmental factors, which are crucial considerations when it comes to preserving relics of such historical and spiritual importance.

Custodians like Sao Dhammasami and institutions like the Hswagata Museum have a moral and ethical duty to protect these relics for future generations. This protection includes not only physical security but also ensuring that these relics are respected, revered, and treated with the utmost care in accordance with Buddhist principles.

By storing these relics in bank safe boxes or similar secure locations, they can be kept safe from potential harm while also allowing for controlled access when needed, such as for public viewings, religious ceremonies, or scholarly research. This careful preservation and reverence for the Buddha Tooth Relics help maintain their historical, cultural, and spiritual significance.

Temporary Suspension of Booking Appointments and Request Forms for Worshiping Buddha Tooth Relics at Hswagata Relics Museum Headquarters

Mr. Thura Kyaw, also known as Myo Min Khine, management team member of hswagata has announced the cessation of booking appointments and the acceptance of request forms for worshiping the Buddha tooth relics at the Headquarters of the Hswagata Relics Museum. This decision is in effect due to the ongoing annual report evaluation period.