Buddhist Relics
Buddhist relics, including the Shakyamuni Buddha Finger Bone, left, are displayed at Wei Mountain Temple, in Rosemead, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.
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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 bone 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.