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The Dalada, or tooth relic of Buddha, and golden lotus flower in the Maligawa Temple, Kandy... 1876 Creator: Unknown
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The Dalada, or tooth relic of Buddha, and golden lotus flower in the Maligawa Temple, Kandy... 1876 Creator: Unknown
The Dalada, or tooth relic of Buddha, and golden lotus flower in the Maligawa Temple, Kandy, Ceylon, as exhibited to the Prince of Wales, 1876. The tooth relic has a long and eventful history, which includes the strong probability that it is not even the tooth which it pretends to be, and that it could not, from its size and appearance be the tooth of Buddha, or of any human being...The Cinghalese believe that when the Portuguese scattered the dust of the tooth that Buddha himself, by his divine power, gathered all the particles together again, and that they were discovered in their previous form of the tooth, preserved in the centre of a budding lotus...Buddha was, at least so the Cinghalese Buddhists believe, 27 ft. in height, and it would have required such a man to have a dental bone of the dimensions of the Dalada. It is about 1½ in. in length...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1876
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Media ID 36360448
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Belief Buddhist Buddhists Ceylon Ceylonese Dalada Maligawa Faith Lotus Lotus Flower Relic Sri Dalada Maligawa Sri Lanka Sri Lankan Teeth Temple Of The Sacred Tooth Relic Temple Of The Tooth Temple Of The Tooth Relic Tooth
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This photograph, taken in 1876, showcases the revered Dalada, or tooth relic of Buddha, encrusted in gold and nestled within a golden lotus flower at the Maligawa Temple in Kandy, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). The Dalada is believed to be a sacred relic, housing a tooth of the historical Buddha, which is said to have been brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century CE. However, the authenticity of the tooth and its origins have been a subject of debate among scholars. The tooth's history is steeped in legend, with tales suggesting that when the Portuguese destroyed the temple housing the relic in 1544 CE, the tooth was scattered and miraculously gathered together by Buddha himself, forming the tooth once again. The belief is that the tooth was discovered in its previous form, encased within a lotus flower. The tooth is said to have belonged to a colossal Buddha, who stood at least 27 feet tall. Given this, the size and appearance of the Dalada, which is approximately 1½ inches in length, further fuels the speculation surrounding its origins. Despite these doubts, the Dalada remains an essential symbol of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and continues to draw pilgrims from around the world. This photograph, taken during the visit of the Prince of Wales to the temple in 1876, offers a rare glimpse into the awe-inspiring sight of the Dalada and the golden lotus flower, encircled by the devotion and reverence of the faithful.
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