Earlier this year's sacred Buddhist relic's trip from China to Thailand symbolizes the deepening spiritual and cultural exchanges between the two countries, according to a Chinese abbot. At the end of 2024, the relic, a tooth of the Buddha, embarked on a 4,500-kilometer journey that took it to Bangkok from Beijing's Lingguang Temple, where it was enshrined for 73 days until mid-February. This highly symbolic trip marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, as well as the 72nd birthday of the Thai king. The tooth was accompanied by Venerable Chang Zang, the abbot of Lingguang Temple, home of one of the world's only two tooth relics of the Buddha Shakyamuni. "This journey to Thailand by the Buddha's tooth relic, since it coincides with the Thai king's 72nd birthday and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Thailand diplomatic relations, will serve to further deepen our bilateral friendship," said the abbot. In 2002, the abbot escorted the Buddha's tooth relic on a previous journey to Thailand. The abbot said that the relic's journey symbolizes the deepening of spiritual and cultural exchanges between China and Thailand. Buddhist ritual must be scrupulously observed at every step of the relic's journey, from its departure from Lingguang Temple to its arrival in Thailand and the procession to its enshrinement, according to the abbot. "We've been rehearsing for over a month. We've practiced every pose, step and pressed-palm gesture. The timing is precise to the second," said the abbot. SHOTLIST: FILE: Beijing, China - Nov 10, 2024 1. Various of Lingguang Temple; 2. Various of temple interior, device containing Buddha's tooth relic; 3. Stone disc recording information about Buddha's tooth relic; 4. Agarwood box containing Buddha's tooth relic; 5. Various of temple, pilgrims; 6. Various of abbot of Lingguang Temple Chang Zang walking; 7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Chang Zang, abbot, Lingguang Temple: "This journey to Thailand by the Buddha's tooth relic, since it coincides with the Thai king's 72nd birthday and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Thailand diplomatic relations, will serve to further deepen our bilateral friendship."; 8. Various of temple, rehearsal of escort ceremony of Buddha's tooth relic UPSOUND (Chinese) Chang Zang, abbot, Lingguang Temple: "We've been rehearsing for over a month. We've practiced every pose, step and pressed-palm gesture. The timing is precise to the second.". [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]