Śarīra
śarīra (P. sarīra; T. lus/sku/ro/ring bsrel; C. sheli; J. shari; K. sari 舍利). In Sanskrit, a common term for “body” in both the literal and metaphoric sense (as in the “main body” of a text as opposed to a commentary).[1] The term is also used to refer to a corpse, especially that of a monk or of the Buddha, both before and after cremation.[1]
The term śarīra is also refers to physical relics of the deceased, such as a tooth or finger bone, or small pearl-like objects that are left behind after the cremation of some highly realized beings. The pearl-like objects, called "ringsel" (T. ring bsel) in Tibetan, are produced from the cremated bones of meditators, and they are believed to be great signs of high realization.[2] The ringsel typically "look like small pearls, hard and shiny; they are mostly white, but they could also be in various colors."[2]
These types of relics are held to emanate or incite 'blessings' and 'grace' (adhiṣṭhāna) within the mindstream and experience of those connected to them.[3]
The 84000 glossary states:
- The physical remains or personal objects of a previous tathāgata, arhat, or other realized person that are venerated for their perpetual spiritual potency. They are often enshrined in stūpas and other public monuments so that the Buddhist community at large can benefit from their blessings and power.[4]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Buswell & Lopez 2014, s.v. śarīra.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tulku Thondup 2011, Glossary, s.v. "ringsel".
- ↑ Martin 1994.
- ↑
ring bsrel, Christian-Steinert Dictionary
Sources
Buswell, Robert E.; Lopez, Donald S. (2014), The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, Princeton University- Martin, Dan (September 1994), "Pearls from Bones: Relics, Chortens, Tertons and the Signs of Saintly Death in Tibet", Numen, 41 (3): 274, doi:10.2307/3270352
- Tulku Thondup (2011), Incarnation: The History and Mysticism of the Tulku Tradition of Tibet, Shambhala
External links
Śarīra, Wikipedia
