Thousands of Thais have been paying their respects to one of the greatest treasures of their religion - a centuries old tooth of the Lord Buddha. The tooth has been put on display in the capital Bangkok for one day, whilst in transit between India and Taiwan. The sacred relic, one of three teeth of Buddha thought to be in existence, is blessed by his followers to earn them special merit. Our correspondent, Enver Solomon, reports from Bangkok.

Sounds of tooth devotions (0'12")

A delegation of Taiwanese Buddhist groups, together with their Thai counterparts, blessed the holy tooth at a special ceremony. One by one they bowed before a goldern urn containing the sacred relic.

A procession of monks then carried the Lord Buddha's tooth to be put on display in a central Bangkok park.

Thousands of Thais have been paying their respects throughout the day. They believe that blessing the tooth will earn them Buddhist merits.

Thousands have been paying respect to the relic

The relic which is more than 2,000 years old has been in India since it was smuggled out of Tibet during the turbulent years of China's cultural revolution.

But the ageing Indian Buddhist monk whose been looking after the tooth has now decided to send it to Taiwan. He says he is no longer able to protect the ancient relic.

Thailand was chosen as the most appropriate country to hand over the tooth, because it is a Buddhist nation regarded as relatively friendly to Taiwan. But Chinese officials have protested, saying the tooth should be sent back to their country.

China considers Taiwan to be a renegade province. Despite these differences the tooth is destined to arrive in Taiwan on Thursday.

Buddhist leaders there hope it will purify the public mind, which they say has been polluted by excessive greed.
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©