NAMSAI, Oct 30: The holy relics of the Lord Buddha arrived on Monday at the Golden Pagoda (Kongmu Kham) in Tengapani from Thailand, which were received by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein from the airport at Mohanbari.
The relics have been bestowed upon the Golden Pagoda as a gesture of goodwill to the people of Namsai district by His Supreme Holiness, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.
A delegation from the Golden Pagoda had earlier on October 19 last gone to Thailand to receive them from the Sangharaja in Bangkok. It has finally been brought over by a 13-member Thai delegation.
The Deputy Chief Minister and abbot of the Golden Pagoda, Ven Vimalatissa Mahathero had earlier written to the Sangharaja for bestowing the relics of Lord Buddha to bless the land and people of this part of the world. Very compassionately, the Sangharaja had granted to confer Golden Pagoda with the relics.
Addressing the monks and devotees from both Arunachal and Assam, who had assembled for the grand reception, the Deputy Chief Minister extended his gratitude to the Sangharaja of Thailand as well as Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who had sponsored the reception of the relics in Thailand.
He was optimistic that spiritual tourism will get a big boost with the installation and enshrinement of the holy relics at the Golden Pagoda.
The Deputy Chief Minister also said that the endowment of the holy relics to the Golden Pagoda was not only in terms of religious significance, but a gesture to further strengthen the socio-cultural aspects of the Thai people and the Tai people of North East India, who share historical as well as cultural affinities.
He opined that bonding between people of the two countries is the way forward to go about the Act East Policy and strengthening ties in the ASEAN region.
A member of the Thai delegation, Guntalee Boonvorasset said that her colleagues were overwhelmed by the response of the people who had turned out in large numbers to receive the relics.
The Thai delegation is here to take part in the 7th Kathina Civara Dana of Golden Pagoda on November 3 this year.
The relics have been received in two parts. The first one shall be installed and enshrined inside the Golden Pagoda, while the other part shall be kept at the monastery for public viewing and paying obeisance.
The Sangharaja or Supreme Patriarch of Thailand is the head of the order of monks in Thailand, also known as the Supreme Sangha Council. The incumbent Sangharaja is Somdet Phra Mahamuniwong abbot of the Ratchabophit Bangkok. The Buddha Relics Foundation in Bangkok is a notable trust under the patronage of His Holiness the Sangharaja of Thailand (Supreme Patriarch).
Monks and devotees thronged the Dirak Gate, the entry point to Namsai district at 4 pm for according a grand reception to the Holy Relics as well as the Thai delegation accompanying it.
Later, another reception followed at the Golden Pagoda premises. The monks and devotees paid their obeisance and also accepted Panchasila on the occasion.
