Buddha’s Holy Relics Travel to Russia’s Kalmykia Republic for First Exposition
Context:
The sacred relics of Lord Buddha from the National Museum, New Delhi are being taken to Kalmykia Republic, Russia for the 3rd International Buddhist Forum (24–28 Sept 2025) in Elista, the capital.
This is the first-ever exposition of these relics in Kalmykia.
Key Highlights:
Organisers:
Ministry of Culture, Government of India
International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)
National Museum
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)
Relics & Venue:
Shakyamuni Buddha’s Sacred Relics will be enshrined in Geden Sheddup Choikorling Monastery, also known as the “Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha.”
This is a significant Tibetan Buddhist centre in Europe (opened 1996).
Kalmykia is the only Buddhist republic in Europe.
Indian Delegation:
High-level delegation led by UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, senior officials, and 20+ senior monks.
Escorted by Indian Air Force aircraft with full religious sanctity.
MoUs to be Signed:
Between Central Spiritual Administration of Buddhist Russia & IBC
Between Nalanda University & IBC
Exhibitions:
“Four Great Events in the Life of the Buddha”
“Sacred Legacy of the Shakyas – Excavation & Exposition of Buddha Relics from Piprahwa (Kapilavastu)”
“The Art of Stillness – Buddhist Art from National Collection” (Delhi)
Special works by artist Vasudev Kamath (Padma Shri)
Special Features:
Three academic lectures
AI Chatbot “Norbu – the Kalyana Mitta” (in Russian) to explain Buddha Dhamma
Distribution of Mongolian Kanjur (108-volume Buddhist scripture) to Buddhist institutions
Significance of Kalmykia:
Only Buddhist-majority republic in Europe
Descendants of Oirat Mongols who migrated in the 17th century
Culture shaped by nomadic lifestyle; followers of Mahayana Buddhism
Past Relic Expositions:
Mongolia (2022) – Piprahwa relics
Thailand (2024) – Relics of Buddha & disciples from Sanchi
Vietnam (2025) – Relics from Sarnath
Recent Repatriation of Sacred Relics (2025):
India retrieved the sacred Piprahwa jewel relics from Hong Kong auction.
PM Modi hailed it as a matter of pride and reaffirmed India’s role as protector of Buddhist heritage.
Buddha’s Relics in India
1. Piprahwa (Kapilavastu, Uttar Pradesh)
Excavation by William Claxton Peppe (1898) → five vases with bone fragments, ashes, jewels.
Further excavation by K.M. Srivastava (1971–73) → casket with charred bones (4th–5th century BCE).
Identified as Kapilavastu by ASI (disputed by Nepal, claiming Tilaurakot).
These relics are enshrined at the National Museum, New Delhi.
In 2025, the sacred Piprahwa jewel relics were repatriated from an auction in Hong Kong.
2. Vaishali Relic Stupa (Bihar)
Built by Lichhavis in 5th century BCE.
Excavated (1958–62) by A.S. Altekar & Sitaram Rai.
Contained Buddha’s ashes, earth, coin, reliquary.
Now preserved in Patna Museum (since 1972).
3. Devni Mori (Gujarat)
Excavated (1962–63) → remains in a gold bottle wrapped in silk inside copper casket.
Inscription: “Dashabala Sharira Nilaya” = Abode of Buddha’s bodily relics.
Preserved in MS University of Baroda Museum.
4. Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh)
Dhamekh Stupa – important relic site.
Relics from Sarnath were taken to Vietnam (2025) exposition.
5. Bhattiprolu (Andhra Pradesh)
Ancient stupa in Guntur district.
Relics enshrined in Global Vipassana Pagoda, Mumbai (2006) – world’s largest structure containing relics.
Donated by Mahabodhi Society of India & Sri Lankan PM.
6. Lalitgiri (Odisha)
Excavations found casket believed to contain Buddha’s bones.
7. Other Sites
Rajagriha – Buddha’s hair relics preserved by King Bimbisara’s queens.
Kanyakubja (Kannauj, UP) – Xuanzang records massive daily veneration of Buddha’s tooth relic.
Kalinga (Odisha) – “Dantavamsa” mentions Buddha’s tooth relic given to King Brahmadatta.
Relics often moved to escape destruction (eg. invasions of Huns in Gandhara/Kashmir).
8. Modern Enshrinements
Dhamma Vinaya Monastery (Pune, Maharashtra) – enshrines relics in replica of Sanchi stupa.
Global Vipassana Pagoda (Mumbai, Maharashtra) – houses relics in central dome.
International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)
Origins
Seeds sown (2010): During Ven. Lama Lobzang’s visit to Sri Lanka, suggestion to host a global Buddhist conference in India.
Preparations (2011): Working sub-committee met (27–28 Aug 2011, India International Centre, New Delhi).
Global Buddhist Congregation (Nov 2011, New Delhi): Attended by 800+ delegates from worldwide Buddhist bodies.
Banner: “Collective Wisdom: United Voice.”
Resolution adopted to form an international umbrella body – the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).
Significance
Headquartered in New Delhi, India.
Largest Buddhist religious confederation worldwide.
Architect: Ven. Lama Lobzang.
First global body uniting Buddhists across different traditions.
Collaborates with Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India and global Buddhist institutions.
Global Buddhist Summit (GBS)
Founded
2023 by IBC in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
Motto
“Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis.”
2023 Summit (1st)
Venue: New Delhi (20–21 April 2023).
Participants: 173 attendees, including 84 Sangha members, 40 nuns, 65 laypersons.
International Delegates: 171 from abroad, 150 from India.
Objective:
Address urgent global issues (climate change, conflict, inequality) through Buddhist values.
Promote peace, compassion, and harmony in international relations.
Produce a research-based document for global dialogue.
International Buddhist Forum (parallel platform)
1st Forum (2018): Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, Russia.
2nd Forum (2024): Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, Russia.
3rd Forum (2025): Scheduled in Elista, Kalmykia (Russia) – coinciding with exposition of Buddha’s relics from India.