舍利子
Expectations at the Ceremony:
Approach with a mind of compassion and sincerity. This event is open to the public, therefore, we respectfully ask that you help to maintain an atmosphere of respect and tranquility. Refrain from wearing hats and sunglasses, as well as from wearing clothing that exposes underwear or other extremely revealing attire, such as bikini tops or excessively short, tight shorts. We understand that the weather is hot, so the dress code is relatively relaxed. Your assistance in maintaining a tranquil atmosphere is deeply appreciated.
For the first time in Chicago, five sacred relics will be brought from the Master Taixu’s Relic Stupa at the Triple Wisdom Hall in Malaysia — including relics of Śākyamuni Buddha himself and four of his most revered disciples. This is a rare and precious opportunity to come and see the timeless Dharma.
What Are the Sacred Relics?
In Buddhist tradition, sacred relics (śarīra) are the remains left after the cremation of the Buddha
or a great monastic. They are regarded as a tangible manifestation of the Buddha’s Dharma
body — indestructible, ever-present, and capable of inspiring faith and liberation in all who
venerate them.
The relics of the Buddha and the Arahants are among the most exalted sacred objects in
Buddhism, venerated for over 2,500 years across Asia and around the world. They are
understood to carry the full spiritual power of the Buddha’s compassion, wisdom, and pure
virtue.
The Five Relics Featured in This Ceremony
The five relics presented in this exhibition have been respectfully invited from the Master Taixu’s
Relic Stupa at the Triple Wisdom Hall in Penang, Malaysia, with their kind permission. They are
the relics of:
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The Venerable Śāriputra — Foremost in Wisdom among the Buddha’s disciples
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The Venerable Maudgalyāyana — Foremost in Spiritual Powers
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The Venerable Ānanda — Foremost in Learning and Memory; the Buddha’s personal attendant
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The Venerable Vakkula — Foremost in Longevity and Freedom from Disease
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The Venerable Śākyamuni Buddha
The Significance of Venerating the Relics
According to Buddhist teaching and centuries of tradition, venerating the sacred relics carries
profound meaning and merit:
Symbol of the Eternal Dharma Body
The relics of the Buddha do not decay over time. Their indestructible and sublime nature is
regarded as a symbol of the Buddha’s eternal Dharma body — demonstrating that though eras
change, the Dharma remains forever present in the world for the benefit of all beings.
Seeing the Relics, Seeing the Buddha
When one venerates the sacred relics, it is understood as drawing near to the Buddha himself,
inspiring reverence, pure faith, and the resolve to pursue awakening and liberation.
Merit and Blessings
Buddhist scriptures teach that offering and paying homage to the Buddha’s relics generates vast
merit and benefit: the increase of blessings and wisdom, the averting of difficulties and suffering,
and the cultivation of wholesome causes and conditions for liberation.
Where Do These Relics Come From?
The Master Taixu’s Relic Stupa at Triple Wisdom Hall in Penang, Malaysia, is a solemn and
historic sacred site. Founded by Venerable Master Zhumo (1913–2002), a disciple of the
pioneering Buddhist reformer Master Taixu (1890–1947), it enshrines not only the relics of these
great modern masters but also the relics of Śākyamuni Buddha and several of his chief
disciples.
The stupa stands as an important testament to the flourishing of Chinese Buddhism in
Southeast Asia and to the unbroken Dharma lineage connecting ancient India to the present
day.