Master Xue Cheng walked into the Great Hall of the People. [File photo]

The exhibition of the skull sarira is a "groundbreaking" event, Master Xue Cheng said, and will help facilitate communication between Chinese Buddhists and their overseas counterparts.

"Chinese Buddhists always pray for world peace. The forum has united believers and non-believers to achieve harmony," he said.

The world, especially the West, mainly knows about the economic development of China, but lacks understanding of China's culture, he said.

"Buddhism, as an important part of Chinese culture, carries a mission to promote Chinese culture in the world," he said.

Hong Kong, with its large number of Buddhists and cultural proximity to the mainland, is a good place to exhibit the sarira, the master said.

There are an estimated 700,000 Buddhists in Hong Kong, or about 10 percent of its population. The city has 600 temples.