Ashoka Tower replica carries Buddha relics to HK

Hong Kong (CNS) -- A micro imitation of the gilded Ashoka Tower was fashioned to carry the cremated head bone relics of Buddha Sakyamuni to Hong Kong and Macau. The original one hold the relics until its discovery in 2008, according to a briefing meeting held by the city government of Nanjing on Thursday.

When the relics were found, they were sealed in the tower, inside in an iron case, and an outer stone sepulcher.

The micro version with delicate golden patterns took 38 adept craftsmen 186 days to finish.

The relics will be worshiped in the Qixia Temple of Nanjing, for a month starting May 5, after the visit to Hong Kong and Macao.