Exceptional Exhibition of the Sacred Relics of Buddha From 1 to 10 August 2025

The Drukpa Plouray Buddhist Centre opens its doors for an exceptional spiritual event: the exhibition of the Sacred Relics of Buddha

From 1 to 10 August 2025, the Drukpa Plouray Buddhist Centre, located in the heart of Brittany, is organising exceptional open days to mark the arrival of the Relics of Buddha. This rare event offers the public a unique opportunity to discover this spiritual treasure of considerable importance to Buddhists from all over the world, while exploring the cultural and spiritual riches of the Drukpa tradition.

Un groupe de personnes et Sa Sainteté Gyalwang Drukpa à Plouray

The exhibition will be accompanied by guided tours of the centre, traditional ritual ceremonies at the temple and lectures on Buddhist philosophy and the history of the Buddha. A precious opportunity for intercultural sharing and spiritual discovery in a peaceful and authentic setting in the heart of Brittany.

Reliquary containing the Relics of the Buddha - Photo credit: French Buddhist Union

The relics of the Buddha, known as "shariras" in Sanskrit, are considered sacred treasures in the Buddhist tradition. These relics, which remain after cremation, are venerated as tangible manifestations of the Buddha's spiritual presence and teachings. Their presence is considered beneficial, bringing immense blessings and inspiring spiritual practice.

The public presentation of Buddhist relics is part of a long tradition of making the teachings and blessings of the Buddha accessible to as many people as possible. These exhibitions are seen as privileged opportunities for spiritual connection and cultural openness.

Origin of the relics

On 18 January 1898, in northern India, near the Nepalese border, not far from Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, a British amateur archaeologist, William PEPPE, was carrying out excavations on his farm when he discovered a tomb at the base of a large stupa which, hidden under earth and vegetation, had the appearance of a small hill. Inside the tomb, he found a sandstone sarcophagus containing a funerary urn with an inscription in the Brami language indicating that it was the reliquary of Buddha, the lord of the Sakya clan.

A number of professional historians, archaeologists and linguists soon confirmed that the discovery site had indeed belonged to the royal family of the Sakya clan, and that the stupa had been erected around 150 years after the Buddha's death, during the reign of Emperor Ashoka. The inscription on the reliquary has also been authenticated.

In 1972, further excavations on the same site led to the discovery of another, older tomb beneath the one discovered in 1898. This tomb was authenticated as the original one in which the Buddha relics given to the king of the Sakya clan had been deposited. Originally, all the Buddha's relics had been divided into eight parts and given to eight different kings, including the king of the Sakya clan. Historians and archaeologists agree that around 150 years later, the emperor Ashoka, a convert to Buddhism, had built this stupa to honour Buddha, with a new tomb and a new reliquary on which he had the inscription engraved.

At the Drukpa Plouray temple, silk painting of the Buddha - Photo credit Drukpa Plouray

Before the end of 1898, the government of British India decided to offer these Relics to Rama V, the Buddhist king of Siam, the former Thailand, as a diplomatic gesture. They were installed in the Temple of the Golden Mount, Bangkok's most famous temple. At the same time, that same year, a prediction was made that the Relics would leave Thai soil for the West 111 years later.

In 2009, 111 years later, the Thai patriarchs, approved by the Asian Buddhist community, decided to offer the Relics to the West and entrust them to a European country, the new home of Buddhism. Their choice fell on France, the country of Human Rights where a great diversity of Buddhist traditions are present. The Relics are officially entrusted to the French Buddhist Union, which is responsible for their preservation. They are kept year-round at the Grande Pagode in Vincennes.

Statue inside the Stupa

Portraits of Drubpon Ngawang Tenzin, spiritual director of the Buddhist center and Lopön Thrinlé Tenzin

The temple

Drubpon Ngawang Tenzin, spiritual director of the Drukpa Plouray Buddhist Centre

"This summer, we will be experiencing a very special and exceptional event at the Drukpa Plouray Buddhist Centre. I have asked those in charge of the Buddhist Centre to put in place the best possible organisation to ensure that the Sacred Relics of the Buddha are received in the best possible conditions, as if we were receiving the Buddha himself. The thousands of visitors expected will be able to gather in front of the Relics and meditate in their presence, thus creating a link with the Buddha's enlightened activity".

Lopön Thrinlé Tenzin, Co-President of the French Buddhist Union

"It is remarkable that part of the Buddha Relics should have been offered to the West by the patriarchs of Thailand, that France should have been chosen to host them in Paris, and that they should have been entrusted to the care of the French Union Buddhist Union. It's a mark of trust that honours and obliges us, and it's a great responsibility that falls to us. This responsibility consists of preserving these Relics while serving their purpose. For when an enlightened being, a Buddha, leaves relics, it is so that they can serve as supports for the good of beings in general and humanity in particular. Indeed, the Precious Relics are supports of faith, signs of spiritual achievement radiating wisdom and compassion, and sources of inner and outer peace. It is so that everyone can, according to their wishes, benefit from these favourable connections, that the French Buddhist Union accepts from time to time that these Relics can be moved and presented to the public. They can help to strengthen aspirational faith and convinced faith; to foster wisdom by reminding us of impermanence and compassion for all beings who are suffering or accumulating causes of future suffering; and to foster inner and trusting peace and peace in the world. There is no idolatry here: these Relics are the result of Sakyamuni Buddha's wishes for the happiness of humanity and all living beings. They are an encouragement to work within ourselves to develop the same qualities of wisdom and compassion as the Buddha himself. »

Website of the French Buddist Union

Detailed programme

Arrival of the Relics on 31 July at 5pm, traditional ritual welcome ceremony at the temple
Daily opening to the public from 1 to 10 August 2025 from 10am to 6pm
Exhibition of the Relics in the main temple
Guided tours of the centre, discovery of the park, sacred monuments, statues, thangkas, ritual objects and their symbolism
Lectures on Buddhism, the history of the Buddha, his teachings and the meaning of the relics on Saturday 2 and 9 August in the afternoon
Shop area: books on Buddhism, handicrafts, ritual objects, singing bowls
Cafeteria area, vegetarian catering
Departure of the Relics on 11 August in the late morning

Practical information

Venue: Venue: Drukpa Plouray Buddhist Centre, Bel Avenir, 56770 Plouray, Bretagne, France - Getting to the the Drukpa Plouray Center
Admission: Free
Vegetarian catering area on site

Contact and information

Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Contact form
Site web : www.drukpa.eu