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Authentic Relics of the Buddha in Japan for the First Time (Excerpts from the brochure titled, ”Kaun-o-seidainisuru Senzo-kuyo (Venerating Ancestors to Bring Great Family Fortunes)”)
The history clearly states that an authentic relic of Buddha has been received in Japan once before. In June 1900, the king of Siam bestowed a sacred relic of the Buddha to the Japanese Buddhist community. This authentic relic of Buddha was excavated by an Englishman, Peppe, in Lumbini, the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha. In addition to the relics of the Buddha uncovered, a number of historical pieces were discovered. The academic community of the time recognized these artifacts as the invaluable relics of Shakyamuni Buddha.
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After receiving this reply, Ambassador Inagaki communicated this message to the Buddhist leaders of Japan. The entire Buddhist community in Japan welcomed the news.
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The King gently presented the Buddha’s relic to them, safely arriving in Kyoto on July 19. It was enshrined at Otaniha Honganji Kenshin Daishido. The following describes what occurred at that time.
(“Stories of Busshari” published on October 20, 1900, by Kogyoshoin in Kyoto.)
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However, while the historical cataclysms such as the Russo-Japanese War erupting four years after this, followed by the era of World War I profiteers, the great economic depression in the early Showa era due to the backlash, the Manchurian Incident, the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Pacific War and the defeat taking place, people’s religious faith waned, and at the same time the traditional knowledge was disappearing. Negligence and idleness on the part of Buddhist priests is a contributing factor. People have forgotten the most fundamental concept for Buddhists: the high importance of Busshari or the Buddha’s relic. (Presently this Shinsei Busshari is enshrined at the Kakuozan-Nittaiji Temple.)
In offering Busshari to Japan, the king of Siam calls Busshari, “Shakyamuni Buddha’s Remains.”
For Buddhists, Shinsei Busshari or the authentic relic of the Buddha means it derives from Shakyamuni Buddha himself. It transcends religious faith or denomination and applies to Buddhism overall. You can understand this if you read the sutras. There you will find numerous descriptions of the miracles caused by Busshari as the living Buddha.
(snip)
(snip)
After receiving this reply, Ambassador Inagaki communicated this message to the Buddhist leaders of Japan. The entire Buddhist community in Japan welcomed the news.
(snip)
The King gently presented the Buddha’s relic to them, safely arriving in Kyoto on July 19. It was enshrined at Otaniha Honganji Kenshin Daishido. The following describes what occurred at that time.
(“Stories of Busshari” published on October 20, 1900, by Kogyoshoin in Kyoto.)
(snip)
However, while the historical cataclysms such as the Russo-Japanese War erupting four years after this, followed by the era of World War I profiteers, the great economic depression in the early Showa era due to the backlash, the Manchurian Incident, the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Pacific War and the defeat taking place, people’s religious faith waned, and at the same time the traditional knowledge was disappearing. Negligence and idleness on the part of Buddhist priests is a contributing factor. People have forgotten the most fundamental concept for Buddhists: the high importance of Busshari or the Buddha’s relic. (Presently this Shinsei Busshari is enshrined at the Kakuozan-Nittaiji Temple.)
In offering Busshari to Japan, the king of Siam calls Busshari, “Shakyamuni Buddha’s Remains.”
For Buddhists, Shinsei Busshari or the authentic relic of the Buddha means it derives from Shakyamuni Buddha himself. It transcends religious faith or denomination and applies to Buddhism overall. You can understand this if you read the sutras. There you will find numerous descriptions of the miracles caused by Busshari as the living Buddha.
(snip)
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