Society

Eminent monk's remains for public worship in E China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-24 17:12

NANJING - Remains believed to be part of the skull of Xuanzang, an eminent monk in ancient China, are available for public worship in East China's Jiangsu province.

The remains, known as sariras in Buddhism, are believed to be those of the parietal bone of Xuanzang after cremation, who adventured to India to seek Buddhist sutras more than 1,000 years ago.

The sariras made their first public appearance Saturday in Linggu Temple in Nanjing city, the provincial capital, since they were moved here in 1974.

Xuanzang (602 AD - 664 AD) of the Tang Dynasty pilgrimaged to India, the birthplace of Buddhism, totally on foot to seek Buddhist sutras. He later translated them into Chinese, paving ways for Buddhism's spread in China.

The treasured sariras were preserved in a 138-cm-tall pagoda made of the rare and expensive nanmu, or Phoebe sheareri, also known as "the emperor's wood" in ancient China.

Visitors will have the chance to worship the relics till May 17.