TAWANG, Oct 31: The sacred relics of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha were formally unveiled for public veneration at Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, the Tawang Monastery, on Saturday, marking their return to Arunachal Pradesh after 13 years.
Earlier in the day, the relics, brought from the National Museum in New Delhi, were received by Chief Minister Pema Khandu and the Abbot of Tawang Monastery, Phara Damey Tulku, in the presence of monks and devotees.
The occasion also witnessed the Chief Minister rannouncing the formation of the Arunachal Buddhist Confederation to bring together the state's Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist communities under a common institutional platform.
The 20-day exposition, being organised from October 31 to November 21, will take the sacred relics to Tawang, West Kameng and Namsai districts, offering devotees and visitors an opportunity to pay homage and reflect on the teachings of the Buddha.
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao, legislators, senior state government officials and representatives of the Ministry of Culture, National Museum and International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) attended the inaugural ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Khandu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating the exposition and the Ministry of Culture, National Museum and other agencies for their support. He said the return of the relics to Arunachal Pradesh after 13 years was a significant occasion for the state's Buddhist communities.
Emphasising the relevance of the Buddha's teachings, the Chief Minister said the message of peace, compassion, non-violence and coexistence remained important in today's world. He called upon people to draw inspiration from these values and work towards a society founded on harmony and mutual respect.
A key announcement at the event was the proposed Arunachal Buddhist Confederation, which will seek to bring together Buddhist institutions and communities belonging to the Mahayana and Theravada traditions.
Khandu announced Venerable Agadhamma, Chief Monk of Namsai Pariyatti Sasana Buddhist Vihara, as the confederation's first president, while Thupten Kalden, Director of the Department of Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs (DoKAA), will serve as its secretary general. The proposed body is also expected to seek affiliation with the International Buddhist Confederation.
The initiative follows consultations involving Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Namsai MLA Chow Zingnu Namchoom, among others.
Arunachal Pradesh has diverse Buddhist communities, with Mahayana traditions prevalent in areas such as Tawang, West Kameng, Mechuka, Tuting, Taksing and Anjaw, while Theravada Buddhism is practised predominantly in Namsai and Changlang districts.
The Chief Minister said the confederation would provide a common platform for coordination among Buddhist institutions, preservation of religious and cultural heritage, and promotion of shared values across the state.
Khandu also referred to the Union Budget announcement concerning the development of Buddhist sites in the Northeast. He said the Ministry of Tourism was working on a policy framework following discussions with the state government, with the objective of promoting the region's Buddhist heritage and strengthening its tourism potential.
During the ceremony, Khandu conveyed a message from the Dalai Lama, which was read out by International Buddhist Confederation Secretary General Venerable Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche. The message highlighted the exposition as an opportunity for people to study, reflect upon and practise the Buddha's teachings.
Khandu also read out a message from Prime Minister Modi, which underlined the enduring relevance of Buddhist philosophy and India's historical role in nurturing and spreading the teachings of the Buddha. The message referred to important Buddhist centres such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar, as well as efforts to promote Buddhist heritage through international engagements and preservation initiatives.
It also highlighted the significance of the Piprahwa relics returning to India after more than a century and referred to the recognition of Pali as a classical language. The message acknowledged the importance of Tawang Monastery as a prominent centre of Buddhist learning and tradition.
The exposition is scheduled to remain in Tawang from October 31 to November 7, before moving to West Kameng from November 8 to 14 and Namsai from November 14 to 21. The district-wise schedule should be confirmed by the organisers, as the dates overlap on November 14.
The exposition is being held alongside the International Tourism Mart in Tawang, bringing together the promotion of the state's spiritual heritage and its tourism potential.