PM Modi inaugurates exhibition of Buddha relics in Delhi; sharp targets on opponents!

Prime Minister Modi, speaking on the return of relics associated with Lord Buddha to India, said that we are blessed to have these relics among us. India's heritage has returned after a wait of 125 years. The fact that the relics were taken out of India and then returned is a great lesson. They were taken away from India during the period of colonial rule.

For those who took them, these were merely antiques, and they even tried to auction them in the international market. India decided that we would not allow them to be auctioned. We express our gratitude to the Godrej Group;
it is because of their cooperation that these relics have been able to return to the land of Buddha.

In fact, in 1898, relics of Lord Buddha were found during excavations in Piprahwa (Kapilavastu region) in Uttar Pradesh. This excavation took place during the British era. The person who conducted the excavation, W.C. Peppe, was an engineer in the British administration at that time. At that time, these relics were sent out of India. They have now been brought back.
The relics are on display at the exhibition of the sacred Piprahwa relics associated with Lord Buddha at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in Delhi. PM Modi inaugurated this exhibition.

Three key points from Modi's speech...

Lord Buddha's wisdom belongs to all of humanity. We have felt this sentiment in the last few months. In the countries where these relics went, there was an outpouring of faith. More than 4 million people visited the relics kept in Thailand. In Mongolia, thousands of people waited for hours. Many people wanted to touch the Indian representatives because they had come from the land of Buddha. Millions of people also saw them in Russia. Lord Buddha belongs to everyone, Buddha unites everyone.
I consider myself fortunate; he has had a profound place in my life. Even when I was away from my governmental responsibilities, I used to visit Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Visiting the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, Nepal, was a wonderful experience. I also felt the presence of Lord Buddha in Japan and China. In Mongolia, I saw the connection with Buddha in the eyes of the people. Wherever I went, my endeavor was to return with a symbol of Buddha's legacy. This shared heritage of Lord Buddha is proof that India connects not only through diplomacy and politics but also through faith and spirituality. India is a living custodian of his tradition.

Learn about the Piprahwa relics...

The Piprahwa relics are sacred and archaeological artifacts associated with Lord Buddha. These relics were discovered during excavations at a place called Piprahwa in the Siddharthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

It is believed that they include the relics (bone fragments) of Lord Buddha and other ancient objects associated with him, which were distributed to different places after his Mahaparinirvana (passing away).