Press Release

 From the Office of Siridantamahapalaka

On the Occasion of Today's Full Moon Day

Today marks the auspicious full moon day (Poya Day), a time of profound spiritual significance in Buddhist tradition. On this sacred day, we encourage all practitioners to:

1. Observe the Eight Precepts (Uposatha Sila) if possible
2. Engage in meditation practice
3. Visit temples for offerings and worship
4. Listen to Dhamma teachings
5. Practice dana (generosity) and support the Sangha

Historical Significance:
Full moon days have been particularly significant since the time of the Buddha, as many important events in the Buddha's life occurred on such days. These monthly observances provide an excellent opportunity for practitioners to strengthen their commitment to the Dhamma path.

Practical Observances:
- Maintain mindfulness throughout the day
- Refrain from taking meals after noon
- Dedicate time for meditation and scripture study
- Practice loving-kindness (metta) meditation
- Reflect on the Three Characteristics (Tilakkhana)

We encourage all Buddhist practitioners to use this full moon day as an opportunity to deepen their practice and renew their commitment to the Noble Eightfold Path.

May all beings be well and happy.
May the Buddha-sasana long endure.

Sadhu! Together let us keep the Dharma wheel rolling.

Press release

 

"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

PRESS RELEASE

 Scientific Testing of Sacred Buddhist Relic Materials 

In the course of a multi-year research journey , I have been entrusted with revered materials by monks (bhikkhus) and devoted followers from diverse regions. Based on their accounts, and through my own meditative reflection and field-based study, it has become increasingly clear that these sacred materials merit thorough and detailed scientific investigation. These sacred objects, believed to be associated with the Buddhist philosophy, carry profound spiritual and historical significance. Their custodians offered them for safekeeping and careful study out of deep faith and commitment to the Dhamma.

Initially, efforts were made to explore scientific methods, including DNA analysis and AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry) dating and radiocarbon dating , as tools to help preserve and understand these materials. However, after careful reflection and consultation with respected monastic elders and scholars, concerns were raised about the appropriateness of applying empirical analysis to objects that are traditionally considered cetiya — sacred relics meant to inspire faith (saddhā) and reverence, not investigation.

In light of these considerations, and guided by the spirit of the Kālāma Sutta, Mahāmangala Sutta, and Vinaya Piṭaka, this project has been respectfully redirected toward a Dhamma-centered path rooted in ethical integrity (sīla), humility (nivāta), and reverence (gārava).I have formally submitted six DNA samples to four renowned scientific institutions across the globe and respectfully request their kind support and academic partnership in bringing this project to completion. It is my sincere aspiration that the findings from this study will contribute meaningfully to the field of Buddhist studies and provide new insights for scholars, archaeologists, and practitioners alike.

This renewed direction affirms that relics are not simply historical curiosities, but vital links to the living tradition of the Buddha’s path — objects that inspire devotion, humility, and mindfulness. It is my sincere aspiration that this work will serve the wider Buddhist community, foster deeper understanding, and support the continuity of sacred traditions with integrity and care.

Enclosed with this statement are the relevant facts and initial findings that have shaped both my understanding and perception throughout this research journey. I remain committed to transparency, scholarly integrity, and the collaborative spirit of global inquiry.

I express heartfelt gratitude to the monastic teachers and Dhamma friends whose wise counsel helped shape this shift in focus. May this initiative honor the letter and spirit of the Buddha’s teachings and benefit all beings.

With deepest respect and in service to the pursuit of truth,

Sao Dhammasami

Research Scholar, Buddhist Studies

The Author of  Custodians of the Buddha’s Sacred Relics Vol.1: ✨ Discover the Legacy of Sacred Treasures ✨ (English Edition)

🔬 What is AMS dating?

AMS dating is a form of radiocarbon dating (¹⁴C dating), but it's far more precise and requires much smaller samples than traditional methods.AMS dating stands for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry dating — a highly sensitive method used for determining the age of ancient organic materials.

🧪 How it works:

1. Carbon-14 (¹⁴C) is a radioactive isotope found in all living organisms.
2. When an organism dies, it stops absorbing carbon, and the ¹⁴C in its body begins to decay.
3. AMS directly counts the number of ¹⁴C atoms (instead of measuring their decay indirectly like older methods).
4. From the ratio of ¹⁴C to stable carbon (¹²C or ¹³C), scientists calculate how long it's been since the organism died — usually up to 50,000 years ago.

✅ Why it's useful:

1. Requires only a few milligrams of material (good for precious or rare samples like relic wrappings, bone fragments, charcoal).
2. Can date bones, wood, cloth, ashes, and other organic materials.
3. Ideal for archaeological and religious relic research where non-destructive or minimal sampling is crucial.

🔬 What is DNA Testing?

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the genetic code found in all living beings.

DNA testing allows researchers to:

1. Identify if relics are human or animal
2. Determine age, sex, or lineage of remains
3. Compare ancient samples with known populations

✅ Can help verify authenticity

🚫 Must be approached with ethical care and religious respect

🧪 What is Carbon-14 (¹⁴C) Dating?

Carbon-14 Dating is a method that calculates the age of once-living material by measuring the remaining radioactive carbon isotope (¹⁴C).

1. All living things absorb ¹⁴C during life
2. After death, ¹⁴C begins to decay
3. Measuring the decay tells us how long ago the object lived

🔍 Useful for dating ancient biological materials

⏳ Supports historical timelines of sacred objects

🙏 With Reverence for the Sacred

When applied to Buddhist relics (dhātu), these methods must follow:

1. Vinaya ethics and traditional rituals
2. Sangha consultation and permissions
3. A spirit of faith (saddhā) and mindfulness (sati)

"Let science support, not disturb, the sacred. May truth, tradition, and respect walk together."

Press Release

Press Release!

 "Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One.

Today, on this Vesak Full Moon, we commemorate three supreme events - the Birth, the Enlightenment, and the Final Passing Away of the Tathāgata.

As the Guardian of the Sacred Tooth Relic, we extend our blessings to all followers of the Buddha on this most auspicious day. The Buddha has arisen in the world, the Dhamma has arisen in the world, the Sangha has arisen in the world.

May all beings be free from enmity, may they be happy, may this be a condition for their Nibbāna!"

"Buddhasāsanaṃ ciraṃ tiṭṭhatu"
"May the Buddha's teaching long endure"

Sao Dhammasami 

A book preface for Custodians of the Buddha’s Sacred Relics Vol. 2: Discover the Legacy of Sacred Treasures (English Edition)

Preface

Custodians of the Buddha’s Sacred Relics Vol. 2: Discover the Legacy of Sacred Treasures

(English Edition)

The legacy of the Buddha does not reside in stone monuments alone, but also in the sacred remnants of his physical being—his relics—reverently preserved, enshrined, and venerated for over two and a half millennia. These relics are not merely archaeological artifacts; they are living witnesses to a profound spiritual journey, a bridge between the historical Buddha and the hearts of countless generations who continue to draw inspiration from his teachings.

This second volume of Custodians of the Buddha’s Sacred Relics is the continuation of an unfolding journey—a journey of faith, heritage, devotion, and meticulous inquiry. It seeks to document and illuminate the lives of those silent guardians who have, with great sacrifice and unwavering dedication, preserved these relics through times of war and peace, glory and obscurity.

Volume One laid the groundwork by introducing readers to the sacred geography, the early custodianship traditions, and the broader historical narrative surrounding the relics. This second volume delves deeper into the less-known custodians, recent findings, and the ethical, scientific, and spiritual challenges involved in their preservation. It also highlights the complex relationships between sacred relics and contemporary identity, good governance pratice, interfaith harmony, and cultural politics.

This work is not intended to spark sectarian debate or claim possession, but to offer respectful documentation and open-hearted inquiry. It is written with humility, as a tribute to all those—monastic and lay, known and unknown—who have carried the sacred responsibility of relic preservation across centuries and continents.

May this volume serve scholars, practitioners, and spiritual seekers alike. And may it be a small offering to the legacy of the Tathāgata, whose compassion still radiates through even the smallest relic of his body, voice, and mind.

From SN 16.13 (Saddhammappatirūpaka Sutta):

"Na tāva, kassapa, saddhammo antaradhāyati yāva na saddhammappatirūpakaṃ loke uppajjati."
(The true Dhamma, Kassapa, does not disappear until a counterfeit of the true Dhamma arises in the world.)

The five conditions (pañca dhammā) leading to decline:
1. "Bhikkhū satthari agāravā viharanti appatissā"
2. "Dhamme agāravā viharanti appatissā"
3. "Saṃghe agāravā viharanti appatissā"
4. "Sikkhāya agāravā viharanti appatissā"
5. "Samādhismiṃ agāravā viharanti appatissā"

And the preservation factors:
"Pañca dhammā saddhammassa ṭhitiyā asammosāya anantaradhānāya saṃvattanti."
(These five things lead to the stability, non-confusion, and non-disappearance of the true Dhamma.)

The sutta concludes with:
"Seyyathāpi, kassapa, suvaṇṇaṃ loke nuppajjeyya, na tāva suvaṇṇapatirūpakaṃ loke uppajjati..."
(Just as, Kassapa, when genuine gold exists, counterfeit gold does not appear...)

With reverence,
Bhikkhu Indasoma Siridantamahāpālaka
(Sao Dhammasami)

A Note to the Readers

A Note to the Readers

In Volume One of this series, my primary intention was to introduce the sacred relics of the Buddha through the lens of archaeology—drawing upon historical findings, cultural records, and field-based observations. As such, the writing largely focused on technical descriptions and documentation, with minimal use of Pāli language or canonical references. The goal was to offer a foundational understanding rooted in material evidence and historical context.

However, in this Volume Two, the focus deepens. This volume explores not only the historical continuity of relics, but also the present-day challenges of relic preservation, including ethical dilemmas, spiritual responsibilities, and the ongoing activities of those who serve as guardians of these sacred treasures in our time.

Accordingly, the style of writing in this volume reflects a shift. In recognition of the doctrinal and spiritual significance of these relics, certain chapters now include Pāli language and citations from the Tipiṭaka and early Buddhist literature, especially where they help illuminate the sacred role of relic veneration (sarīrika-pūjā) and its soteriological value. As the Buddha declared:

“Na me ānanda tiṭṭhamānamyeva Tathāgataṃ passitabbaṃ. Yo kho ānanda dhammaṃ passati so maṃ passati.”
(“It is not, Ānanda, through physical presence alone that the Tathāgata should be seen. One who sees the Dhamma, sees me.”)
— Saṃyutta Nikāya 22.87

This underscores that relics are not to be venerated as mere objects, but as symbols of the Dhamma, the timeless truth realized and taught by the Enlightened One.

Furthermore, the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta (Dīgha Nikāya 16) remains a pivotal source throughout this volume. In it, the Buddha instructs:

“Cattāro ca therā kulaputtā... tathāgatassa sarīraṃ pūjenti.”
(“There are four devoted persons, householders... who will honor the Tathāgata’s bodily relics.”)

This sacred charge remains relevant today. The continuity of veneration is not merely historical—it is devotional, moral, and cultural.

Still, I am mindful that not all readers may be familiar with Pāli terms or classical references. Therefore, I have endeavored to maintain a balanced approach, integrating modern language with ancient wisdom. Where needed, translations and contextual explanations are provided to keep the content accessible and meaningful for both scholars and general readers.

This volume is an offering—a blend of ancient and contemporary, devotional and scholarly—created to serve both practitioners and researchers. It is my sincere hope that it nurtures deeper understanding, sincere faith, and a renewed commitment to the mindful stewardship of the Buddha’s sacred heritage.

May this humble work fulfill the Buddha’s words:

“Dhammaṃ ca deseyya, vinayaṃ ca paññapeyya.”
(“He teaches the Dhamma and establishes the Discipline.”)
— Vinaya Mahāvagga

With reverence and gratitude,
Bhikkhu Indasoma Siridantamahāpālaka
(Sao Dhammasami)