Holy Relics

When a Buddha, Bodhisattva, or Great Master passes their bodies are generally cremated.  Please note that the cremation process in the East is much different than in the west. The crematory pyre does not reach the high level of heat the crematory furnaces do in the west. So, please keep that in mind as you view the following information and photos.  After the body of a Buddha, Bodhisattva, or Great Master has been cremated one finds what are known as "holy relics."  Because this being had purified his or herself greatly in life, attaining great realizations up to and including enlightenment, they have thus purfied their very body as well. Holy Relics can be anything from small pearlized substances to actual diamonds. The photos here are from various places. Many thanks to our Dharma sister Lhamo Drisa from Northern Kentucky Tibetan Buddhist Centre for all her hard work in locating all of these photos so that we could arrange them all in one place for study and viewing.