Charged with Buddha’s Blessings

See it to believe whether Buddhist relics and their stories have power. In 1898, excavation of a site in Piprahwa, northern India, revealed an ancient stupa with five intact reliquaries, one of which had an inscription claiming it contained the remains of the Buddha. This installation tells the story of this remarkable discovery and features the offerings of gems and gold foil ornaments that were enshrined together with the reliquaries. In essence, these items can be considered “contact relics,” imbued with the blessings of the Buddha’s corporeal remains, objects with the power to increase merit.

Curated by Elena Pakhoutova.

Charged with Buddha’s Blessings: Relics from an Ancient Stupa is supported by Tulku Tsultrim Pelgyi .

Image Credit

W. C. Peppé (British, 1852–1936); The Coffer in the Position It Was Found; from W. C. Peppé’s Photo Album; January 1898; high-resolution scan from original photographic print; courtesy of Chris, Luke, and Daniel Peppé

W. C. Peppé (British, 1852–1936); Reliquary Urns from the Stupa’s Coffer; from W. C. Peppé’s Photo Album; Piprahwa, India; January 1898; high-resolution scan from original photographic print; courtesy of Chris, Luke, and Daniel Peppé

Loose Gems from the Stupa; Piprahwa, India; discovered January 1898; photograph by Charlotte MacMillan; courtesy of Chris, Luke, and Daniel Peppé