For the past fourteen years, a Buddhist temple in Southern California has captivated devotees by publicly exhibiting what it describes as the "10,000 Buddha Relics" during every Lunar New Year celebration. This extensive collection, housed at the Wei Mountain Temple in Rosemead, features teeth and finger bones believed to originate from Shakyamuni Buddha, his relatives, and his disciples, alongside numerous colorful shariras—pearl-like objects said to be extracted from the cremated ashes of Buddhist masters.
Sacred Objects and Spiritual Significance
Katherine Nguyen, a visitor to the temple, expressed profound reverence while standing before the altar. "To be able to see the Buddha, to get close to him and feel the energy—it's very special for a Buddhist," she remarked, reflecting the deep emotional connection many followers experience. Master YongHua, the temple's founder, explains that the actual number of relics far exceeds ten thousand, with items displayed in glass cases and miniature stupas. These relics are venerated not merely as historical artifacts but as living, active sources of blessings endowed with supernatural qualities.
Miraculous Phenomena and Faith
According to YongHua, the relics exhibit extraordinary behaviors, such as growing in size over time and multiplying on their own. He claims to have witnessed them levitate and produce "baby shariras," multicolored crystals that have filled multiple containers. "I have seen them multiply with my own eyes," YongHua stated. "They move on their own, they levitate. ... I've seen people get cured of various ailments just by being in their presence." This belief in relics as dynamic, miracle-working objects is central to many Buddhist traditions, where they are seen as physical manifestations of spiritual realization.
Historical Context and Global Presence
John Strong, professor emeritus of religion at Bates College and author of "Relics of the Buddha," notes that accounts of Buddha's relics date back to Pali texts from around the 2nd century B.C.E. These early descriptions often portray relics as glittering jewels, varying in size from mustard seeds to golden nuggets. Strong emphasizes that relics serve a crucial purpose in connecting Buddhists to the Buddha, who is considered "essentially absent" after achieving enlightenment. Relics can be found across countries with deep Buddhist histories, including India, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Controversies and Authenticity Debates
Despite widespread reverence, the authenticity of some relics has been questioned. Reports of fake tooth and bone relics, along with manufactured acrylic shariras, have surfaced in Asian markets and online platforms, often accompanied by falsified certificates. A notable case involves the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum in Singapore, which houses a tooth relic said to be from Buddha's funeral pyre. In 2007, dental experts suggested the relic's dimensions were inconsistent with a human tooth, possibly belonging to a cow or buffalo. The temple's abbot, Venerable Shi Fazhao, responded by asserting, "if you believe it's real, it's real," highlighting the role of faith in such matters.
Diverse Perspectives Within Buddhism
Not all Buddhist traditions place equal emphasis on relics. At the U.S. headquarters of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order in Southern California, Venerable Hui Ze explains that their founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, advocated for Humanistic Buddhism, focusing on integrating Buddha's teachings into daily life rather than fixating on relics. "He instructed us that relics should not distract us from the path to liberation," Hui Ze said. However, he also shared a personal moment of connection upon seeing a Buddha tooth relic gifted to Hsing Yun, describing it as "priceless."
Personal Experiences and Spiritual Messages
Geshe Tenzin Zopa, a Tibetan monk, recounts a miraculous event from his youth in Nepal, where he observed relics emerging from the cremation of his teacher, Geshe Lama Konchog. "I observed pearl-like relics popping out of the crematorium 'like popcorn,'" Zopa recalled. After three days, disciples discovered hundreds of relics and the guru's intact heart, tongue, and eyes. "It was truly a miracle," he said, noting that most relics are now enshrined in a stupa at Kopan monastery. Zopa views relics as physical signs of spiritual realization, left by holy gurus to help sentient beings collect merit and purify themselves.
Legacy and Future Enshrinement
Following Hsing Yun's death in February 2023, his disciples found colorful, pearly relics in his ashes, despite his instructions not to search for them. In deference to his wishes, the relics remain within the ashes, which will be spread across the order's global centers. A ceremony is scheduled for March 21 to enshrine these ashes at the Southern California headquarters, symbolizing the enduring legacy of Buddhist teachings and the ongoing reverence for relics as sources of inspiration and faith.
