Fwd: [Ind-Arch] Fragment of Buddha's skull found in China

November 29, 2008

Forwarded Conversation[ind-Arch] Fragment of Buddha's skull found in China ------------------------ Carlos Aramayo <cararam50

IndiaArchaeology

Wed, Nov 26, 2008 at 3:14 AM

Buddha's skull found in 1,000-year-old miniature pagoda in China25 Nov 2008, 1347 hrs IST, ANILONDON: Archaeologists have claimed that a 1,000-year-old miniature pagoda, unearthed in Nanjing, China, holds a piece of skull

belonging to Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. According to a report in the Telegraph, the pagoda was wedged tightly inside an iron case that was discovered at the site of a former temple in the city in August this year.

The four-storey pagoda, which is almost four feet high and one-and-a-half feet wide, is thought by archaeologists to be one of the 84,000 pagodas commissioned by Ashoka the Great in the second century BC to

house the remains of the Buddha. The pagoda found in Nanjing is crafted from wood, gilded with silver and inlaid with gold, coloured glass and amber. It matches a description of another of Ashoka's pagodas, which used

to be housed underneath the Changgan Buddhist temple in Nanjing. A description of the contents of the pagoda indicate the presence of a gold coffin bearing part of Buddha's skull inside a silver box.

Although scans have confirmed that there are two small metal boxes inside the pagoda, experts have not yet peered inside. According to Qi Haining, the head of archaeology at Nanjing Museum, " This pagoda may be unique, the only one known to contain

parts of Buddha's skull " . But he said there would be a lengthy process before the cases could be opened. " The discovery of the relic will have a huge influence on the cultural history of Buddhism in China and will establish Nanjing as

a premier site. It will be a great encouragement for Buddhists as well as for future studies, " said De Qing, an expert in Buddhism in Nanjing. " It is important for Buddhism as a religion to have these sarira, or

relics, to show its followers. The more a Buddhist practises, the more relics will remain of him after his death. I am hugely excited. I think they should take the skull outside of the container, it is a sacred item, but it is not an untouchable item, " he added.

Siddhartha Gautama, who is believed to have been born in the fifth century BC, was a spiritual teacher and recognized by Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha of our age. Also known as Shakyamuni, or the Sage of the Sakyas, his teachings

are contained in the Tripitaka, the canon of Buddhist thought. http://tinyurl.com/6zam3w

-------- ashokakirti lekhy <ashokakirti

IndiaArchaeology

Wed, Nov 26, 2008 at 10:09 PM

Hi,

How is it possible? How dis the archaeologists know that that skull was of Lord Buddha? Pali Canon say another history. It is really puzzling statement.

regards

ashokakirti--- On Tue, 11/25/08, Carlos Aramayo <cararam50 wrote:

Carlos Aramayo <cararam50

[ind-Arch] Fragment of Buddha's skull found in ChinaIndiaArchaeology

Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 1:44 PM

-------- commonmortal <monjushiri
IndiaArchaeology

IndiaArchaeology

Thu, Nov 27, 2008 at 7:16 AM

Hi,no malice, but i don't know what to believe now.i visited an buddhist exhibition in singapore 2004.http://www.yawningbread.org/arch_2005/yax-416.htm

what astounded me was little bottles of sariras from major disciples of Siddharta Gautama.regardsIndiaArchaeology , ashokakirti lekhy

<ashokakirti wrote:>> Hi,> & #63728;> How is it possible? How dis the archaeologists know that that skull was of Lord Buddha? Pali Canon say another history. It is

really puzzling statement. > & #63728;> regards> ashokakirti> > --- On Tue, 11/25/08, Carlos Aramayo <cararam50 wrote:> > Carlos Aramayo <cararam50