Buddha Footprints & Relics

[phetaroi]

Just curious what people think about the many Buddha Footprints and Relics throughout the Kingdom. Or is this too sensitive to tackle?

[camerata]

I think anything that inspires people in their practice is good. Buddha images do it for me, but relics don't. Incidentally, Bangkok's Wat Saket houses what are quite possibly some genuine bone fragments of the Buddha.

[SeerObserver]

This is an interesting topic. camerata brings up an interesting point. What is it about certain things that inspires people?

By nature, we're visual creatures. So it would follow that visual cues serve as reminders, so to speak. There is no doubt that Buddha images and Wat related things have an impact on our mindset. The same can be said of amulets. Some people wear them out of faith in their maker/blesser and/or powers that they possess. The people who aren't into that who wear amulets do so as a reminder of virtue. Seeing your amulet, feeling it on your person, etc., has a profound effect that can affect choices you make, actions, etc.

So what is it about relics? Of course, some of the visual properties still apply. And then there is the fact that they are remnants of sacred beings or the like. But what to make of that other than the touristy visit to see a site/object? People visit relics and make pilgrimages to holy places for other reasons and I want to hear more about what's behind that. There could be the belief that some present force there supposed to impact your life, or that something is going to "rub off" on you from touching or being in the presence of these relics.