Buddhists welcome Lunar New Year with relics from remains of enlightened beings

Описание: (1 Mar 2026)

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RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rosemead, California - 17 February 2026
1. Victorina Sprout showing relics to visitors
2. Various of relics
3. Various of Master Xian Zhi preparing to bless people with relics
4. Master Xian Zhi blessing people with relics
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Victorina Sprout, Wei Mountain Temple relics exhibit coordinator: ++PARTIALLY COVERED++
"Sharira is the Sanskrit word for relic. Relics are the crystallized or hardened remains found in the ashes of enlightened beings after their cremation. Master Xian’er, he's known as the relics monk. And I think because of his devotion to relics and his amazing experiences he has with relics, that he's gotten known in Asia. And because of him, we received some relics."
6. Sprout showing relics to visitors
7. Various of relics
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Master Xian Zhi, abbot of Wei Mountain Temple: ++PARTIALLY COVERED++
"When we bring relics out, it's a different kind of energy. It calms the mind a lot and it's very helpful with meditation."
9. Person meditating
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Victorina Sprout, Wei Mountain Temple relics exhibit coordinator: ++PARTIALLY COVERED++
"Before the relics came to our temple, I do notice a difference. You know we're like any other group of people, any other community. Some people get along, some people don't, that's kind of natural. But I noticed when we started having the relics, maybe within the first month, two months, that we were more harmonious. And certain people that always used to kind of be a thorn in somebody's side or kind of be a little anxious or worried or things something like that you know that those seemed, they seemed to be calmer and then that had a calming effect on the rest of us as well so i think just in general we did notice that being in the presence of the relics or near the relic did have a benefit."
10. Various of people being blessed with relics
STORYLINE:
Every Lunar New Year for the past 14 years, a Southern California Buddhist temple has displayed what it calls the “10,000 Buddha Relics.”

According to temple leaders, this display includes nearly a million relics — including a tooth and finger bine of the Buddha.

In Buddhism, relics are believed to be blessings from the Buddha and other enlightened beings that hold the power to heal and bring peace.

They are also said to grow and multiply. Scientific testing on these relics have been scarce and inconclusive. But many Buddhists say they are not concerned about authenticity; to them, it's simply a matter of faith.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

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