[ Prem Chetry ]

BOMDILA, 5 Oct: A review meeting on the arrangements for the exposition of sacred Buddha relics was held at the DC office here in West Kameng district on Sunday.

The exposition of the Kapilavastu sacred relics from the National Museum, New Delhi, is scheduled to be held from 8 to 13 November at Thubchog Gatsel Ling (TGL) monastery here.

Kalaktang MLA Tseten Chombay said that this is an auspicious occasion for everyone, and that people must seek the blessings of the holy relics. He urged the authorities and departments concerned to dedicate themselves to accomplishing the tasks assigned to them.

He also appealed for all slaughterhouses to remain closed during the exposition, reasoning that the relics are not merely sacred objects "but are as if the Buddha himself is among us."

Meanwhile, West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar said that, as per the report of the advance security liaison (ASL) team from the Union Culture Ministry, TGL monastery has been selected as the venue for the exposition.

Tenzin Jorden, member of the expert committee and state coordinator for the exposition, said that the exposition is an auspicious occasion for the people of the region, and that "the message of universal peace and compassion should be spread to the world."

He appealed to the people to hoist a Buddhist flag at every house during the six-day exposition period to honour the sacred relics of the Buddha.

Thrizino MLA Tenzin Nyima Glow expressed gratitude to the ASL team for its support in organising the exposition.

Among others, SP Dr Dorjee Wangdi Thongon, HoDs, members of the Monpa Mimang Tsokpa and the Bomdila Buddhist Society, and senior monks from the Gontse Gaden Rabgye Ling and TGL monasteries attended the meeting.

According to sources, the sacred relics' exposition in the state will be organised from 1 to 7 November in Tawang, from 8 to 13 November in Bomdila, and from 14 to 20 November in Namsai.