KJCKorea
Journal Central

Bulsari (Buddha’s sarira) that was introduced by Monk Jajang from Tang Dynasty is the only case known with its place of enshrinement from the sarira of Sakyamuni that is handed down to Korea. Furthermore, it is a valuable material that may display the trend of Bulsari faith and Buddhist art of Korea with its rich bibliographical data with respect to the process after its introduction. As a result of analyzing the record of 『Samkukyusa』 with respect to Bulsari introduced by Jajang, part of the contents is known to be embellished at a later time. In particular, types of sariras that brought in by Jajang was mainly the sarira of 100 pieces originally, but following the flow of time, the Buldugol (Buddha’s skull) and Bulah (Buddha’s tooth) were seemed to be added. And as for the background of such embellishment, it is presumed to be the change of sarira faith revised on the basis of the Buldugol (Buddha’s skull) and Bulah (Buddha’s tooth) from the mid-9th century to 13th century. As a result of analyzing a number of records related to the personal observation of the sarira where it is enshrined on Tongdosa stairs, the stone cover of Tongdosa stairs is in the structure with easier opening and closing and it is confirmed with the cases of carrying out the Sugye ceremony by taking out the sarira. And, as a result of surveying Tongdosa stairs with the cue for consciousness related record, it was able to disclose the fact to allocate the stairs to climb up the original steps in 5 places. And, <Taehwasaji Sipijisang Saritap> that was discovered around Taehwasaji in Ulsan shows the characteristics that opening and closing of sarigong would be easy structurally that is different from the ordinary stone-bell shaped budo (pagoda where sarira or bones of priest is kept). Looking into the cases of Tongdosa stairs and personal observation of sarira, the Taehwasaji Saritap may have the possibility to be the saritap where the sarira is enshrined in its structure. Lastly, the type of Tongdosa stairs stone cover was depicted in the kettle (Boo, Hoek) shape until the later time of the 13th century and then the expression is changed as a stone-bell shape as it is shown for the present appearance in the later period of the 14th century. Through this effort, Tongdosa stairs had massive heavy repairing in the 14th century, and the shape of the stone cover prior to repairing could be assumed as similar shape with the sarira system discovered in the 3-story stone pagoda of Gameunsaji. And, the Gameunsa Sarigi that is continued with disputes on its origin and name displays to modify the type of stairs depicted in 『Gyedandogyeong』 into the sarigi.

Jajang, sarira of Sakyamuni, Bulah(Buddha’s tooth), Tongdosa, Buldugol (Buddha’s skull), Gyedan(ordination platform), sarira reliquary, Samkukyusa