After a 12-day journey of alternating enshrinement across four major cities in four Australian states, the sacred relics of Gautama Buddha made their final stop on January 29, 2026, at Quang Minh Temple, Melbourne. Here, over 17,000 people queued in deep reverence to pay homage and offer prayers to the Buddha’s relics.
The Enshrinement Process
With the official consensus of the Buddhist Union of France, the Buddha’s relics were escorted by a delegation of four monks and five security personnel. They were formally handed over to the Vietnamese Buddhist Federation of Australia for a loan period from January 18 to January 30, 2026.
· January 19, 2026: The opening ceremony was held in Perth, commencing the pilgrimage for Buddhists and the general public.
· Subsequent Stops: The relics were enshrined at Phuoc Hue Temple (Sydney), followed by Canberra (Jan 24) and Brisbane (Jan 27).
· Final Destination: Quang Minh Temple (Melbourne) for the full day of Thursday, January 29, 2026.
Preparations
Following an emergency meeting on January 11, 2026, Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan and Venerable Thich Minh Tu, together with the Management Board of Quang Minh Temple, rapidly mobilized various committees: Communications, Rituals, Security & Order, Reception, and Catering, SBS & VietTV Australia Media
On Wednesday, January 28, Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan and the temple’s devotees warmly welcomed the French delegation. The French security team meticulously inspected all arrangements and decorations to ensure the utmost solemnity for the following day’s ceremony.
The Main Ceremony at Quang Minh Temple
Early on the morning of January 29, the sky was clear and the air cool—a welcome relief from the scorching summer heat of previous days. A diverse crowd of various ethnicities and Buddhist practitioners formed long, orderly queues within the temple grounds.
The opening ceremony was held in a dignified atmosphere, attended by approximately 20 distinguished guests from France, Tibet, Bhutan, Japan, and China, alongside Australian federal and state politicians. At exactly 10:10 AM, MC My Ly opened the ceremony by introducing the significance of the day.
Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan—Abbot of Quang Minh Temple and President of the Vietnamese Buddhist Federation of Australia—delivered the opening remarks, expressing profound gratitude to the Buddhist Union of France:
“This is a rare opportunity for everyone, regardless of religion or culture, to pay homage and feel the enlightened energy of the Buddha. The Relics remind us of peace, compassion, and humanity.”
This was followed by a response from His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche II (the successor to the late Kalu Rinpoche (1905–1989), a prominent Tibetan master). As the vital link who facilitated the journey of the relics from France to Australia, he shared the story of his efforts in connecting the various governments to ensure the success of the five-state pilgrimage.
Ms. Natalie Suleyman, representing the Victorian State Government, also expressed her gratitude to Quang Minh Temple for its 30 years of contributions to the multicultural community and for organizing such a sacred event.
Impressive Figures and Devotion
· Over 2,000 fresh lotus flowers were offered.
· Approximately 17,000 people queued from 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM.
· 10 temples from different traditions (Vietnamese, Pali, Tibetan, Japanese, Thai, etc.) took turns chanting and praising the merits of the Triple Gem.
· The Catering Committee prepared pure vegetarian food for the Sangha and guests, along with over 4,000 servings of bread and water for the public.
The Closing Ceremony
As the temple gates began to close at 6:40 PM, the queue still stretched far into the distance. At 8:00 PM, the rhythmic sound of the Prajna drum echoed through the Great Hall, signaling the conclusion of the event. In a poignant moment, Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan thanked all the volunteer committees for their tireless efforts. This was followed by a final address from His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche II, who thanked the Australian Buddhist community and Quang Minh Temple for their exceptional hospitality.
At 8:45 PM, the vehicle escorting the relics departed the temple gates to return to France. Thousands of tearful eyes watched them leave in a spirit of faith, many silently vowing to follow in the footsteps of the Enlightened One.
HISTORICAL AND SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Buddha’s relics were discovered in January 1898 in Piprahwa, India. A large portion was later enshrined in Thailand, and in 2009, a portion was brought to France.
These relics are more than just physical treasures; they are the crystallization of a life of pure discipline and precepts. The Buddha was a human being of flesh and blood who attained supreme wisdom through practice. The relics remind us that the Buddha is not far away; the Buddha resides within the awakened heart of every individual.
Venerating the relics should not be limited to mere petitionary prayer; it is an occasion for self-reflection and a commitment to living a virtuous life—avoiding harm to oneself and others. As His final teaching urged: "Be a lamp unto yourself."
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha.
Compiled by Dr. Pham Phuc Nhan
