NAMSAI, Nov 14: The sacred relics of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni arrived at Namsai on Saturday for the final leg of their exposition in Arunachal Pradesh, following their display in Tawang and Bomdila.
Governor Lt Gen (Retd) KT Parnaik received the holy relics at Nalung Helipad in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Cabinet Minister Dasanglu Pul, local MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom and religious leaders.
The Governor, along with other dignitaries, participated in a ceremonial procession from the helipad to the Golden Pagoda (Kongmu Kham). Thousands of people from different communities and walks of life lined the eight-kilometre route to pay their respects to the sacred relics.
Governor Parnaik also participated in the enshrinement of the relics, mass prayers and the observance of the five Buddhist precepts.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor described the occasion as a profound spiritual privilege and said the holy relics symbolised the life, enlightenment and timeless teachings of Lord Buddha, who showed humanity the path from suffering to peace, ignorance to wisdom and hatred to compassion.
He said the exposition marked a significant spiritual milestone for Arunachal Pradesh and strengthened the state's cultural and historical ties with the Buddhist world.
Expressing hope that the exposition would inspire devotees, students and visitors to incorporate Buddha's teachings into their everyday lives, the Governor called for building a society based on dignity, equality and mutual respect.
Highlighting the relevance of Buddhist philosophy in a world facing conflict, intolerance, violence and materialism, he said the Four Noble Truths, Noble Eightfold Path and Middle Path offered enduring guidance for ethical living, self-discipline, responsible leadership and social harmony.
Sharing his experiences of serving in the Himalayan region, including Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan, Parnaik encouraged people to practise compassion, promote peace through education, protect the environment, uphold ethical leadership and preserve the state's rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein described the arrival of the holy relics as a rare blessing and a valuable opportunity for devotees to offer prayers and pay homage. He highlighted Arunachal Pradesh's unique tradition of peaceful coexistence among Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana schools of Buddhism.
Mein also referred to the renewed emphasis on preserving India's Buddhist heritage, developing Buddhist pilgrimage circuits and strengthening cultural and spiritual ties with Buddhist countries under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Local MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom, Namsai Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering and International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) Director General Raghav Prasad Bhatnagar also spoke on the occasion.
The Governor inaugurated an IBC exhibition showcasing the life and teachings of Lord Buddha, the historical significance of Buddhism and India's contribution to Buddhist civilisation.
The exhibition aims to familiarise visitors, particularly younger generations and students, with Buddha's journey towards enlightenment and his universal message of peace, compassion, non-violence and human brotherhood.
A cultural presentation celebrating the sacred exposition was also organised by the Tai Khamti Singpho Cultural Society, featuring artists from Thailand.
The exposition has been organised through the collective efforts of the Union Ministry of Culture, National Museum, New Delhi, International Buddhist Confederation, Holy Relics of Shakyamuni Buddha Darshan Coordination Committee, Itanagar, state government, district administration and Buddhist organisations.