Thai Buddha relics gifted to Kek Lok Si Temple

Precious gift: Buddhist monks offering their prayers to the relics at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: Legends abound around Buddha relics, from beliefs that they are indestructible and guarded by powerful deities to them imparting miraculous powers.

Precious to Buddhists, they look like tiny, pearly beads called sarira in Sanskrit and are regarded as what was left behind in the cremated ashes of Buddha after his death more than 2,500 years ago.