Pre-Launch Ceremony of “Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathagata” Held in Leh
Leh, April 18, 2026: The pre-launch ceremony of the “Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathagata” was held today at Hotel Grand Dragon, Leh, marking an important step toward the upcoming sacred exposition in Ladakh. The event coincided with the observance of World Heritage Day and brought together members of civil society, officials, and spiritual leaders.
Addressing the gathering, the Worthy Chief Secretary of UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, highlighted that the teachings and philosophy of Lord Buddha are deeply embedded in the living heritage of Ladakh. He stated that the forthcoming exposition of the sacred relics on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima is a moment of immense spiritual and cultural significance. Noting that the relics have been revered across Buddhist countries worldwide, he expressed confidence that they would be received with the same devotion and respect in Ladakh.
He informed that the relics will be displayed at Jivetsal, Leh, before traveling to Zanskar and later to the Dharma Centre where monks and nuns will offer special prayers. He emphasized that this is a unique opportunity, as the Ministry of Culture has permitted the relics to remain in Ladakh for an extended period and travel to remote regions like Zanskar. The theme of the exposition, “Peace Beyond Borders,” was described as highly relevant in the present global context, with Ladakh poised to send a meaningful message of peace to the world.
In his keynote address, Geshe Lhakdor began with a verse of the Buddha and elaborated on the essence of compassion and wisdom in Buddhist teachings. He spoke about ignorance as the root cause of suffering and stressed the continued relevance of the Buddha’s message in today’s world. Referring to ongoing global conflicts, he underlined the importance of universal happiness, mutual respect, and non-violence as pathways to genuine peace. He also appreciated the deep faith of the people of Ladakh and emphasized the importance of sustainability and conservation in preserving both spiritual and natural heritage.
Among those present on the occasion were Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Geshe Lhakdor, Hon’ble CEC Kargil Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, along with officers of the UT Administration, spiritual leaders, and members of civil society.
