Events List

Event: Tour of the Buddha's Relics to Scotland.

Venue: The University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy Centre, 1 Bristo Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9AL.
(Next to Potterow Students Centre. General enquiries: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 0131 650 2595).
Dates/Times: Opening Ceremony: Friday 14 September 2012, 7pm-9pm.
General Public Viewing: Saturday 15 September 2012, 10am-6pm. Sunday 16 September 2012, 10am-5pm.
Event Description: A precious collection of sacred relics of the Buddha and many other Buddhist masters is currently touring the world. The Tour offers a rare opportunity to view these relics, which were found among the cremation ashes of Buddhist masters. The relics resemble pearl-like crystals. Buddhists believe relics embody the master's spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom and are deliberately produced by the master at the time of death.

Visitors to the event often report experiences of inspiration and healing when in the presence of the relics. While some are inspired to pray for world peace and develop inner wisdom, others are overcome with emotion as the powerful effects of the relics open their hearts to compassion and loving-kindness.

The relics are clearly visible inside display cases that encircle a life-size, golden statue of the Maitreya Buddha. Visitors may participate in a Blessing Ceremony where the relics of the Buddha are gently placed on the crown of the visitor's head as a personal blessing.

According to the Buddhist scriptures, Maitreya will be the next Buddha to bring teachings of loving-kindness to the world. Eventually, the relics will be enshrined in a 500-ft/152-m bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha that will be built in Kushinagar, northern India. For more information see: www.maitreyaproject.org


Opening Ceremony, Friday 14 September, 7pm-9pm

7pm Welcome by Rev Dr Harriet Harris, Chaplain, the University of Edinburgh

7.05pm Welcome by Professor Sir Timothy O'Shea, Principal, the University of Edinburgh

7.10pm Welcome on behalf of the City of Edinburgh, Bailie Robert Aldridge

7.15pm Venerable K Sri Rewatha Thero, will read or chant a Sutra

7.20pm Dharma Talk by Venerable K. Sri Rewatha Thero: Peace and Loving Kindness in Action

7.35pm Stories by Venerable Siliana Bosa about the Relics and the Relic Tour

7.45pm Presentation by Venerable Siliana Bosa about the Relics and the Relic Tour

8pm-9pm Viewing of the Relics followed by Personal Blessings for those who wish it

                      

Further Information:

Venerable K Sri Rewatha Thero, Scotland's Buddhist Vihara

The chief incumbent at Scotland's Buddhist Vihara is Venerable Rewatha. (BA , MA, PGDE ) 'Bhante' as he is known comes from Dharmapala Pirivena in Belana, Kalutara District in the Western province of Sri Lanka.

Venerable Rewatha has been a monk for 30 years and studied at the University of Peradeniya in Kandy and the University of Kelaniya in Colombo. He is the author of two books on Buddhism and Astral Phenomenon and A Mindful Journey from Birth to Death. He has been running mindfulness meditation classes for local people in Glasgow for 8 years. 
 
Since the Tsunami struck on Boxing Day 2004, Venerable Rewatha has been actively involved in charity work in Southern Sri Lanka. He is currently doing a research degree in Mindfulness Approaches at University of Bangor in North Wales. He also set up the UK's first ever Buddhist College in Glasgow and was recently appointed by the Sri Lankan Monks Council as the Chief Monk in Great Britain. Bhante is also the Buddhist Chaplain/Adviser to the University of Glasgow.

Venerable Siliana Bosa

After meeting the teachings of Buddha in the west in 1979 was ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1981. Venerable Siliana was based in India for a further 14 months, before returning to Italy where she helped organise the first visits of His Holiness the Dalia Lama to Europe. She was centre director for Buddhist organisation FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) for many years, offering her skills as interpreter to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, before joining the Maitreya Project Relic Tour in 2007. 

She has visited over 50 countries whilst with the Relic Tour, introducing country Presidents, high state officials, religious leaders and celebrities to this exhibition, this has enabled many people to share in this rare opportunity and message of loving kindness and peace. The tour has been visited by over 1.6 million visitors to date.


Cost: Admission Free. Everyone Welcome.
Donations welcome towards the Maitreya Buddha statues in India, and towards local costs. If you would like to discuss possible sponsorship of this event, or volunteering at this event, or accommodation hosting of two visiting guests with the Tour, or any other enquiry:
Contact: Neill Walker, Event Co-ordinator, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 0131 331 4469.


Mindful Peace Walk, Saturday 15 September, 10am-11am

Date: Saturday 15 September 2012.
Time: 10am-11am, meet at 9.30am at the Edinburgh Labyrinth, George Square Gardens, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ.
Event Description: This silent walking meditation is an open event. It will be led by the lay members of the Edinburgh Sangha of the Community of Interbeing, who follow the practice and teachings of Zen Buddhist Master, Thich Nhat Hanh. The walk begins at the Labyrinth in George Square, and ends at the University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy Centre. Before the walk begins there will be a brief introduction to mindful walking as meditation practice. This is not a protest or a campaigning event, so please do not use any banners. Children are welcome when accompanied by adults. Please remember to wrap up warmly. ‘We walk just for walking. We walk with freedom and solidity, no longer in a hurry. Let us enjoy every step we make.’ Thich Nhat Hanh.

Cost: Admission Free. Just come along on the day. For further information:
Contact: Neill Walker, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 0131 331 4469.


Pet Blessings, Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 September, 1pm-2pm

On Saturday 15 September and Sunday 16 September, 1pm-2pm each day, there will be the opportunity for pet blessings immediately outside the Chaplaincy building. Pets will not be allowed within the Chaplaincy building itself, and pet owners are solely responsible for their pets at all times.


Closing Ceremony, Sunday 16 September

At 4.50pm on Sunday 16 September there will be a Closing Ceremony with Venerable K Sri Rewatha Thero and Venerable Siliana Bosa.