The East comes to where the West begins
Exhibit of ancient and sacred Buddhist relics visits Fort Worth Unity
Kevin Cummings
Staff writer, Star Local Media
While difficult to ascribe just one meaning to the word maitri, it is an important principle in Buddhist tradition encompassing loving-kindness, benevolence and good will not only for one’s self, but toward all living things. It’s these things that the Maitreya Heart Shrine Relic Tour will bring, along with its many sacred relics.
On this coming Friday through Dec. 1 the Johnson Hall of the Unity Church of Fort Worth located at 5405 Woodway Dr. Fort Worth, TX 76133 will host this collection of ancient and sacred relics from all over the world. The exhibit is free to visit and open to people of all faiths and from all walks of life.
“We’re not preaching or converting,” said Michael Fouts, Tour Development and Marketing. “It’s about teaching and experience.”
The Maitreya Heart Shrine Relic Tour started in 2001 in Taiwan by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The relics were collected from all around the world, including places like Tibet, Korea and China. Some of the relics, which were donated by the Dalai Lama after he rescued them from Tibet in 1959 during the Tibetan Rebellion, date back over 2,500 years. What started as a small exhibit has now traveled to 67 countries and has been visited by over two million people. Eventually, some of the relics will be enshrined in a bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha currently being built in Bodhgaya, India.
The Maitreya Buddha, according to Buddhist scriptures, will be the next Buddha to bring teachings of love and kindness to the world.
The relics themselves come from over 40 ancient and modern-day Buddhist masters. However, these are not relics in the traditional Western sense, they are pearl-like crystals found in the master’s ashes after cremation. Tibetans call them ringsels. They are said to be the physical embodiment of the master’s spiritual qualities, deliberately produced by the master at the time of their death.
“Masters take a lifetime to develop these qualities and wisdom , and these crystallize in the cremation,” Fouts said. “When the historical Buddha passed away he created them so his spirit could still be around after he passed. It’s his wisdom, love and kindness.”
It is said that relics emit a peaceful energy that helps visitors cultivate a kinder, more peaceful mindset. Visitors at other showings have reported experiences of inspiration and healing while in the presence of them. Whether it’s the experience of the exhibit, or to witness the historical value of the objects, the Maitreya Heart Shrine Relic Tour attracts an average of 3,000 visitors at each of its U.S. stops.
“Love and kindness is the basis of all religions and [the tour] is a way to connect with that, that resides in people’s own hearts,” Fouts said.