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.

Ownership, Accountability, and Governance

This chapter delves into the intricate matters of ownership, accountability, and governance concerning the Buddha relics held by the Hswagata Buddha Tooth Relics Preservation Museum. It explores the responsibilities and implications associated with the custodianship of these sacred artifacts.

Ownership of Buddha Relics:

Ownership of Buddha relics is a profound and sacred responsibility. The relics held by Hswagata are revered as sacred artifacts attributed to Lord Buddha himself. The ownership of these relics is a complex matter, involving spiritual, cultural, and legal dimensions:

Spiritual Ownership: 

From a spiritual perspective, the ownership of Buddha relics is often viewed as a trusteeship rather than traditional ownership. Custodians are seen as stewards tasked with preserving and protecting these relics for future generations.

Cultural Ownership: 

The relics also hold cultural significance, not just for the Buddhist community but for the nation and humanity as a whole. They are considered part of a nation's cultural heritage and are sometimes under the ownership of a particular institution or government body.

Legal Ownership: 

Legal frameworks and regulations may dictate ownership. In some cases, governments or institutions may have legal ownership, and custodial arrangements are made accordingly.

Adherence to Established Protocols:

The custodianship of Buddha relics comes with established protocols and guidelines that must be adhered to:

Spiritual Protocols: 

Custodians are expected to uphold the spiritual protocols associated with these relics. This includes conducting rituals, prayers, and ceremonies to honor and venerate the relics. Failure to do so may be seen as a breach of spiritual duty.

Cultural Protocols: 

Cultural protocols may involve the display, storage, and exhibition of the relics in a manner that respects their cultural and historical significance. These protocols often align with preserving the relics' integrity and sanctity.

Legal Protocols: 

Legal regulations may stipulate how these relics are owned, displayed, and transferred. Custodians must comply with these legal obligations to avoid legal repercussions.

Implications of Non-Compliance:

Non-compliance with established guidelines and regulations regarding Buddha relics can have profound implications:

Spiritual Implications:

Failing to adhere to spiritual protocols may be seen as a lack of reverence and respect for the relics. This can result in spiritual consequences and a loss of trust within the religious community.

Cultural Implications: 

Disregarding cultural protocols can lead to cultural insensitivity and damage the reputation of custodians. It may also lead to disputes and legal action.

Legal Implications: 

Non-compliance with legal regulations can result in legal action, including the confiscation or relocation of relics. Custodians may face fines, legal penalties, or the revocation of custodial responsibilities.

Governance and Accountability:

Governance and accountability play a crucial role in the custodianship of Buddha relics:

Institutional Governance: 

The museum is typically governed by a board or committee responsible for decision-making and ensuring compliance with all protocols and regulations.

Transparency and Accountability:

Transparency in operations and accountability for actions are essential. Custodians must maintain meticulous records, allowing for scrutiny and verification of their custodial responsibilities.

Community Involvement: 

Engaging with the local Buddhist community and relevant stakeholders can foster trust and accountability. Regular updates and consultations ensure that custodial decisions align with the values and expectations of the community.

The ownership, accountability, and governance of Buddha relics held by the Hswagata Buddha Tooth Relics Preservation Museum are complex and multifaceted. Custodians must navigate spiritual, cultural, and legal dimensions while adhering to established protocols. Non-compliance can have profound implications, underscoring the importance of responsible custodianship and adherence to established guidelines and regulations.

About kamma and sīla

"In conventional truth through viññāṇa-view, isn't it taught to believe in kammassaka-sammādiṭṭhi - wholesome and unwholesome kamma?

#Unwholesome_kamma leads to suffering in hell, animal, peta realms. #Wholesome_kamma leads to human and deva realms.

#One_who_truly_believes_in_kamma won't seek fortune tellers or spirit mediums. #They_won't_create_new_unwholesome_kamma.

#When_sīla_is_complete, doesn't health improve? The five precepts are crucial.

Even Sakka (king of devas) bows to those with pure sīla. #Sakka_pays_respect_to_those_with_pure_sīla who support their families and parents.

#How_can_those_without_sīla worship various deities? Consider how even Sakka bows to the virtuous!

Remember Janaka prince in the ocean? #Those_without_sīla became fish food, but he kept his precepts for seven days and was saved by the devi Manimekhala.

#Breaking_the_five_precepts is unwholesome kamma. #Maintaining_them is wholesome kamma."

"Is human birth from unwholesome or wholesome kamma? What wholesome actions lead to it? The five precepts. Through sīla-kusala we become humans or devas.

There's the story of #Guna_the_naked_ascetic who taught that kamma doesn't always give immediate results. The general Alāta supported this view, saying he was a cattle butcher in his previous life but now a high-ranking official.

But Princess Rujā (Ānanda's previous life) explained to King Aṅgati:
'The general sees only two lives, but I see seven. His current fortune is from past good kamma, but #when_that_cattle_killing_kamma_ripens, he'll fall to hell realms.'

Sakka had to intervene to explain the truth about kamma.

This teaches us:
- Unwholesome kamma leads to lower realms
- Wholesome kamma leads to human birth
- Kamma fruits may ripen at different times
- We must understand kamma's workings correctly"

This story illustrates the complexity of kamma and the importance of understanding its operation correctly, rather than drawing wrong conclusions from limited observation.

Sadhu! Together let us keep the Dharma wheel rolling.

"🌺All Actions are Either Dukkha or Magga🌺

#All_actions_lead_to_dukkha:
- Breaking the five precepts leads to lower realms
- #Is_this_happiness_or_suffering? It's suffering

Even wholesome actions (puññābhisaṅkhāra):
- Giving (dāna) for human/deva happiness
- Keeping precepts (sīla)
These lead to the five aggregates (khandhas) - human or deva birth.

Does getting these khandhas free us from aging, sickness, death? No! #Where_does_it_end? In dukkha!

Even developing concentration (samādhi):
- The 40 meditation objects
- Jhānas leading to #āneñjābhisaṅkhāra (formless realm kamma)
- Still leads to becoming (bhava)

#From_the_perspective_of_the_Noble_Truths - it's all dukkha!

We must understand:
- The five aggregates
- The sense bases
- The elements
- The Four Noble Truths
- Dependent Origination

These teachings only come when a Buddha appears. We must investigate carefully!"
"Let's examine directly with the 'eyeglasses of wisdom' the Buddha gave us:

When we think we see a 'person':
#Do_we_see_a_person_or_just_color/form? Just rūpa.

When we touch what we think is a 'person':
#Do_we_find_a_person_or_just_sounds? Just sounds.

When we smell or taste:
#Do_we_find_a_person_or_just_sensations? Just sensations.
This is #rūpakkhandha.

When we feel with the body:
#Do_we_find_a_person_or_hot_and_cold? Just temperature (uṇha-tejo, sīta-tejo).

The knowing of these sensations:
- Not just one consciousness
- Includes feeling (vedanā)
- Perception (saññā)
- Mental formation (cetanā)

These four nāma-khandhas:
- Don't arise by themselves
- Not created by Brahmas
- Not created by an eternal god
- Not created by Vishnu

They arise from conditions:
- Two types of rūpa
- Kamma, citta, utu, āhāra

This is direct investigation of reality, seeing things as they truly are rather than how they appear conventionally."

"#Seeing_effects_arising_from_causes:
- Not a person, but five aggregates
- #What_we_find_is_not_beings_but_five_aggregates

When we see this:
- Identity view (sakkāya-diṭṭhi) falls away
- #Doubt_(vicikicchā)_ceases
- Āsavas of wrong view and ignorance end

The five aggregates:
- Form changes and breaks up
- Feeling, perception, formations, consciousness arise and pass
- #Do_we_find_aggregates_or_their_absence?
- Seeing impermanence is Path (magga)

#Working_with_the_Path:
- Path knowledge leads to Cessation (nirodha)
- #Nirodho_nibbānam
- When ignorance ceases, craving ceases
- Three rounds of dependent origination break

#When_Path_truth_enters_Nirodha_follows:
- Defilements cycle ceases
- Kamma cycle ceases
- Results cycle ceases
- This is Nibbāna

#Here_is_origin_and_suffering
#There_is_path_and_cessation

But remember:
#Until_we_hear_these_teachings
We must still make wholesome kamma
Otherwise #that_leads_straight_to_lower_realms"