In 1987 archaeologists discovered a crypt beneath the Famensi (Dharma Gate Monastery) in Shaanxi Province, China, containing four "finger-bone" relics of the Buddha along with a trove of invaluable medieval religious artifacts. Some of the finds are associated with "Esoterism," an important but poorly understood Buddhist ritual tradition that flourished briefly during the Tang dynasty (618—907 CE). A new reading of the Famensi relics and their nested reliquaries in light of their relation to Esoteric Buddhism suggests that the finger-bone relics themselves could be considered "art."
目次
Famensi and Chinese Buddhist Esoterism 38 Ritual Practice, Material Culture, and Belief 42 The Buddha's Finger Bones 43 But Is It Art? 47 The Eight-Container Reliquary Set 47 Buddhist Altar Rites 50 The Silver Box Explained 51 Fingers and Moons 53 Notes 55
