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Relic Tour 2011

Relic Tour 2011 (en Español)

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For the second time, the Abbey, together with Unity Church, sponsored the Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour to come to Spokane. Hundreds of people from all walks of life, religious backgrounds, and ages passed quietly around the room where the relics of great Buddhist masters were displayed. With the support of dozens of volunteers and the interfaith community of Spokane, the event expressed an openness and inclusivity that is sometimes rare to find. Workshops on compassion and forgiveness, storytelling about the Buddha’s life, and chanting from different spiritual traditions gave the weekend a joyful air. May all who came to view and be blessed by the relics be healthy and happy, and may all beings quickly become Buddhas.


Deborah Hicks accompanies Ani Tsering Wangmo in a beautiful Tibetan chant during the opening of the event.

Thai monks from southern Washington offer chanting in Pali.


Spokane mayor Mary Verner shares her appreciation
for the event and its purpose of fostering love
and compassion in the Spokane community
and the surrounding area.


Cristian and Louisa put out the relics each morning.

The relics of Shakyamuni Buddha. 

Bathing the Buddha is a favorite experience for the children who come.

Marianne, who coordinated all the volunteers during the event, is all smiles as the
weekend progresses. She loved being a part of it all.

Ven. Jigme places the relics on the head of a participant.

Susan Otto, defense attorney for Don Wackerly, holds his ashes while Ven. Chodron
places the Buddha’s relics on them. Later in the week the ashes
were spread at the Abbey.

Louisa, one of the stewards of the relics, offers a relic blessing to Ven. Chodron.

Ven. Chonyi and a young friend share
a quiet heart connection.

Sarah Conover, a local storyteller, shares the life of the Buddha in an
afternoon story hour.

Ven. Tarpa and a visitor connect to their deepest aspirations for peace and compassion.

Ven. Chodron gives an inspiring teaching on forgiveness.

The Unity choir and the Abbey community sing “Star Spangled Compassion” as one voice.

Mother and son view the relics together.

Ven. Samten blesses a companion dog that came to the relics with its owner.

Young Dharma friend Luis peers into one of the relic cases.

Out of respect for the preciousness of the relics, Ven Chonyi wears a mask
while filling water bowls

Jon carefully hangs the thangkas that surround the viewing room.

Children seem to have a natural curiosity and wonder about the relics.

The statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, sits in the center of the relics

Ani Tsering Wangmo from EWAM in Arlee, Mt.

Ven. Semkye blesses the youngest visitor and her Dad.
 
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