PUBLIC STATEMENT ON RESEARCH FINDINGS
"Building a Bridge of Understanding Between Modern Archaeological Evidence and Theravāda Textual Traditions"
The Hswagata Buddha Tooth Relics Preservation Private Museum respectfully announces to the public the results of years of extensive research concerning the Buddha's Tooth Relics, based on contemporary Archaeological Evidence and Epigraphical Evidence.
This statement does not seek to invalidate traditional beliefs. Rather, it aims to construct a stronger "Bridge of Understanding" between modern archaeological evidence and Theravāda textual traditions, presenting these insights as a historiographical reinterpretation and a research possibility.
1. Research on the Record of the "Four Tooth Relics" The concept of the "Four Tooth Relics" frequently cited in Theravāda texts may not be an absolute numerical limit, but could instead function as a form of Doctrinal Classification. Current archaeological and epigraphical evidence reveals that the physical enshrinement and widespread distribution of the tooth relics may be far more extensive than traditional interpretations imply.
2. Cosmological Reinterpretation of the "Nāga" and "Tāvatiṃsa" Realms Traditional Sinhalese chronicles often record that two of the tooth relics are enshrined and venerated in the Nāga realm and the Tāvatiṃsa heavenly realm. However, emerging research highlights the Historiographical Possibility that the terms "Nāga" and "Tāvatiṃsa" are not merely mythological domains, but may metaphorically represent historical human societies, geopolitical regions, or Sacred Geographies that existed during that era.
3. Widespread Enshrinement in Earthly Stupas Based on current archaeological evidence, it is robustly confirmed that these tooth relics were not solely enshrined in other cosmological realms. Throughout history, they have been extensively enshrined and venerated within earthly Stupas, Reliquaries, and Monastic Networks.
4. Reference Publications for Detailed Study (7 Volumes) Regarding the aforementioned findings, detailed historical evidence, epigraphical records, photographic documentation, and theoretical analyses can be studied in depth in the following seven research monographs authored by the Custodian:
Book 1: The Buddha's Tooth Relics: An Analytical Study from the Perspective of Mutual Complementarity Between Theravāda Traditional Belief Records and Contemporary Archaeological Evidence.
Book 2: The Quantity of Buddha Relics and Historiographical Problems: A Comparative Study on the Impacts of Religious, Political, and Sectarian History from King Ashoka to King Kanishka.
Book 3: The Earthly Custodianship of the Four Tooth Relics: A Historical and Archaeological Reinterpretation of Theravāda Doctrinal Narratives.
Book 4: Beyond the Dichotomy: Reasserting the Doctrinal and Functional Significance of Relics (Dhātu) in Theravada Buddhism.
Book 5: Public Trust and Information Management: Mitigating the Crisis of Faith Arising from Newly Discovered Archaeological Evidence.
Book 6: Integrated Relic Custodianship Model (IRCM): Capacity Building for Buddhist Relic Custodians Combining Vinaya Discipline, Archaeology, Law, and Modern Management.
Book 7: Custodians of the Buddha's Sacred Relics Vol.1: Discover the Legacy of Sacred Treasures (English Edition).
These research findings are presented not to diminish the devotion of the Buddhist community, but to cultivate a resilient, wisdom-based faith grounded in authentic historical evidence. As the Custodian of the Relics, we will continue to strive to build a harmonious bridge between Faith and Archaeology.
(Signature) xxxxx
Venerable Dhammasami
Founder and Custodian of the Tooth Relics
Office of Siridantamahapalaka
The Hswagata Buddha Tooth Relics Preservation Private Museum.
Further Information & Downloads:
The Hswagata Buddha Tooth Relics Preservation Private Museum:
https://www.hswagata.com The Office of Siridantamahapalaka:
https://www.siridantamahapalaka.com Publications Download:
https://philpeople.org/profiles/sao-dhammasami-bhikkhu-indasoma-siridantamahapalaka/publications?order=viewings About the Researcher:
https://about.me/bhikkhus.dhammasami ORCID Identifier: 0009-0000-0697-4760
