State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 01 May 2025

Sacred Buddha Relics of Sarnath

Why in News? 

Sacred Buddha relics from Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh will be displayed during  the United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV) celebrations in Vietnam in May 2025 . 

Key Points 

• About Buddha Relics: 
  • These relics are enshrined in the Moolgandha Kuti Viharaya Monastery located in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. 
  • It is run by the Mahabodhi Society, which was founded by Anagarika Dharmapala. 
  • The remains were excavated by H. Longhurst at Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh) during 1927–1931 . 
  • These relics were handed over to the Mahabodhi Society on 27 December 1932 by Rai Bahadur Dayaram Sahni on behalf of the Viceroy of India. 
  • The event is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) . 
• United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV): 
  • Vesak Day is the holiest day in Buddhism, celebrated to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha. 
  • The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on December 15, 1999 recognizing it as an international day . 
  • The first official event was held in 2000 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York . 
  • The theme of UN Vesak Day 2025 is “Buddhist Approach to Unity and Inclusion for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development”. 

International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)  

• It is the largest religious Buddhist organization.  
• The aim of the association is to build the role of Buddhism on the global stage, to help preserve Buddhism's heritage, share knowledge and promote its values, and to represent Buddhism through meaningful participation in global dialogue.  
• In November 2011 the 'Global Buddhist Congregation' (GBC) was hosted in New Delhi, where the attendees unanimously adopted a resolution to form an international umbrella body—the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). 
• Headquarters: Delhi (India).