Buddha replica relic is stolen

Buddha replica relic is stolen

YANGON, Myanmar -- A replica of Buddha's tooth, a holy relic of the Buddhist religion, has been stolen from a temple in a northern suburb of Yangon.

The glass casing at the Swedaw Myat--"Tooth Relic"--Pagoda in which the tooth replica had been enshrined was discovered broken Sunday, and the tooth, along with several precious gems, were missing, said an official at the Religious Affairs Ministry.

The replica relic had been kept on a bejeweled pedestal with a jewel-encrusted holder inside the glass case. Soldiers have sealed the pagoda premises, and pilgrims have not been not allowed to visit while the theft is being investigated.

There are acknowledged to be only two genuine Buddha's teeth in existence, one in China and the other in Sri Lanka. (Chicago Tribune)