THE JAW-DROPPING JOURNEY OF BUDDHA’S TOOTH
Many parents keep their children’s baby teeth as keepsakes, but ancient Buddhist followers went several steps further. When Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, died more than 2,000 years ago, his followers divided his ashes. A left canine tooth was among Gautama Buddha’s remains and preserved as a holy object by believers. Local legend says the tooth was eventually gifted to the Sri Lankan monarchy, which was tasked with protecting it.
its fourth home after the first three temples were destroyed. The Temple of Sacred Tooth in Sri Lanka was built in the 1700s and remains a popular tourist attraction and place of worship. The intricate, historical architecture attempts to do justice to the holiness of the artifact inside. Believe it or not, the tooth in Sri Lanka is not the only tooth Buddhists worship. Singapore houses another tooth in the Buddhist Tooth Relic Temple. The apparent molar was rediscovered in 1980 after being hidden in solid gold for
For centuries, various rulers passed the tooth among themselves and trusted subjects for safekeeping. Some believed the power of the tooth was so strong that whoever held it was the true king. When one rival attempted to steal the artifact, believers credited his failure to Buddha’s will. However, it does not appear that possession of the tooth was ever a genuine method of determining succession in the Sri Lankan monarchy.
safekeeping. Legend says many people have attempted to destroy the tooth over the years, but every attempt shattered the tools instead of Buddha’s remains. While the stories and temples are elaborate, the provenance of Buddha’s teeth is in question. Experts argue that they are too large to be human. However, devotees believe the teeth kept growing over the
years due to Buddha’s immense power. If you are ever in Singapore or Sri Lanka, it’s worth visiting one of the elaborate temples to decide for yourself.
The first Sri Lankan king constructed a temple to house the tooth in the 1500s. Hundreds of years later, the tooth sits in
Reference: https://www.originalbuddhas.com/blog/temple-of-sacred-tooth
SIMPLIFY YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON
How to Keep Your Cool During the Festive Frenzy
arise during holiday gatherings. Whether it’s complex relationships or nonstop heated debates, holiday get-togethers can quickly become emotionally straining. While some stressors are unavoidable, there are some measures you can take to reduce your stress. It’s Okay to Say ‘No’ If saying no to a holiday party invitation during a jam-packed week or buying store- bought cookies instead of baking your own can bring you relief, then go ahead with that as a plan. If you try to go to every gathering, cook every dish, and meet up with every friend, you’ll be so burned out that you won’t appreciate all the season has to offer. Do what genuinely brings joy to you, and try leaving behind all the rest. Prepare as Best You Can Even a little advanced planning can bring you more peace of mind during hectic
times! The more prepared you feel, the better you’ll be able to handle all that’s ahead of you. Plan out what events you’ll attend, what groceries you need, and to whom you’ll give gifts. Mapping out your holiday budget can help rid you of overspending guilt. As you plan for the holidays, try to ensure you are making things as smooth as possible for yourself, whether that’s a streamlined visit to the grocery store or buying gifts ahead of time. Remember What Really Matters No holiday celebration is perfect. You can only do so much, so don’t expect to accomplish everything you set out to do. Things will go wrong, and that’s okay. Cherish the season’s true meaning and enjoy the company of those around you. Your health, safety and loved ones are what matter. Don’t let all the little things get in the way of remembering that.
The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most stressful. For those planning family celebrations, gift shopping, dinner parties, and more, your to-do list can pile up, and suddenly, those Christmas tunes on repeat feel more excruciating than cheerful. Well, you’re not alone! According to a 2022 poll by the American Psychiatric Association, 1 in 3 Americans expected to be more stressed during the holiday season than normal.
Aside from a never-ending list of errands, every family experiences tensions that
Reference: https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/seven-ways-to-cope-with-holiday-stress
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