The Relics of Sariputta and Maudgalyayana: Discovery, Journey, and Present Location

Introduction

The relics of Sāriputta and Mahā Moggallāna, two of the Buddha’s chief disciples, hold a significant place in Buddhist history. Their discovery in the 19th century at Sanchi, India, offers a fascinating glimpse into the ancient traditions of relic veneration and the spread of Buddhism.

Discovery of the Relics

In 1851, British archaeologists Major Alexander Cunningham and Lieutenant Frederick Charles Maisey conducted excavations at Sanchi, near Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. Sanchi is renowned for its ancient Buddhist stupas dating back to the 3rd century BCE. During their exploration, they focused on Stupa Number 3. Upon excavating its core, they uncovered an undisturbed chamber housing two sandstone boxes. Each box contained a steatite casket with human bone fragments. The lids bore inscriptions in Brāhmī script:

• “Sariputasa” on the southern box, indicating it contained the relics of Sāriputta.
• “Maha Mogalanasa” on the northern box, signifying it held the relics of Mahā Moggallāna.

The positioning of the boxes was symbolic. In ancient Indian tradition, during religious ceremonies, individuals sat facing east. Thus, the south (right-hand side) was associated with Sāriputta, the Buddha’s right-hand disciple, and the north (left-hand side) with Mahā Moggallāna, the left-hand disciple.

Subsequent Excavations

Following their success at Sanchi, Cunningham and Maisey extended their excavations to nearby sites. At Satdhara, a few miles west of Sanchi, they explored Stupa Number 2. Here, they discovered another pair of steatite caskets, each containing human bone fragments. Inscriptions similar to those at Sanchi identified these relics as belonging to Sāriputta and Mahā Moggallāna.

Cunningham theorized that after the disciples’ deaths near Rājagaha (modern-day Rajgir, Bihar), their relics were initially enshrined locally. Later, Emperor Ashoka or subsequent rulers might have redistributed these relics to various stupas across India, including those at Sanchi and Satdhara.

Journey of the Relics Post-Discovery

After their discovery, the relics underwent a series of relocations:

• Transfer to Britain: Cunningham and Maisey divided the relics between themselves. Maisey took the Satdhara relics to Britain and loaned them to the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria and Albert Museum) in London in 1866. Cunningham attempted to transport the Sanchi relics to Britain, but one of the ships sank, leading to the presumed loss of those relics.
• Return to Asia: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Buddhist revival movements, notably led by the Maha Bodhi Society, advocated for the return of these sacred relics. In 1947, the British government agreed to transfer the relics to Sri Lanka. After being displayed at the Colombo Museum, the relics toured parts of Asia starting in 1949. By 1952, the relics were divided and enshrined in multiple locations:
  • Kaba Aye Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar.
  • Maha Bodhi Society Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  • Chethiyagiri Vihara in Sanchi, India.

Current Significance

Today, these relics are revered by Buddhists worldwide. The Chethiyagiri Vihara in Sanchi, where a portion of the relics is enshrined, has become a significant pilgrimage site. The annual Chethiyagiri Vihara Festival (Sanchi MelA) attracts devotees who come to pay homage to the sacred remains of the Buddha’s chief disciples. The Sanchi Mahabodhi Festival is held every year on the last Sunday of the November month and is organized by the Government of India.

The journey of Sāriputta and Mahā Moggallāna’s relics—from their ancient enshrinement to their 19th-century discovery, subsequent international relocations, and eventual return to places of veneration—highlights the enduring reverence for these disciples and the rich tapestry of Buddhist history.

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