????An iron case expected to
hold the hair of Buddha, which was unearthed from the foundation
of a collapsed pagoda in east China, was opened by archaeologist
Wednesday evening.
????A 35-centimeter-high silver miniature
gold plated pagoda was found in the case. The four sides of
the miniature pagoda were decorated with carving based on
stories about Buddha's earlier incarnations.
????Through the perforation patterns on
the pagoda, a gold vessel can be seen inside the pagoda. Experts
believe the hair of Buddha is in the vessel.
????The vessel was sealed in the silver
pagoda. Expert said they would not open the vessel for the
reason of protecting the relic.
????This is the second time that the relic
of Buddha's hair has been found in China. In 1970's, hair
of Buddha Sakyamuni was found in the Shentong Temple in Yao
County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
????The newly found well-protected silver
pagoda, dating back to over 1,000 years ago, symbolizes the
high level of art at that time, experts say.
????In addition to the silver pagoda, a
square bronze mirror, a gilded silver box, a decadent belt
and a little blue glass bottle were also found in the case.
????The iron case was unearthed from the
foundation of Leifeng Pagoda near the scenic West Lake in
Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province on March
11.
????The excavation has drawn wide attention
in China, because of a Chinese legend about the Leifeng Pagoda.
According to the legend, fairy Bainiangzi was covered under
the Leifeng Pagoda for the sacrifice of love.
????However, the over 1,000-year-old Leifeng
Pagoda collapsed 77 years ago. Experts have debated for a
long time whether to rebuild the pagoda.
????Last year, a decision was made by the
government of Hangzhou to rebuild it. The excavation of the
foundation of the old pagoda is a part of the rebuilding project.
????(People's Daily 03/16/2001)
