Śarīra Reliquary

Built in 634, the third year of Queen Seondeok’s reign, Mojeon Seoktap Stone Pagoda was made by layering granite in the shape of bricks and displays the characteristics of a stone pagoda from the early Silla period. The pagoda has been restored to a height of three stories, but the overall proportion and number of stones found around the pagoda reveal that the original height must have been nine stories.
During the restoration of the stone pagoda in 1915, a stone container was found between the second and third levels of the main body. Made of granite, the lid measures 63 centimeters in length and width. The body itself consists of polished natural stones with a square space carved out for the burial of śarīra reliquaries and a variety of precious offerings. On one side of the body is a drainage channel for rain water and the body is fitted with protrusions to prevent the lid and the body from being separated. Inside the stone container are shards of a green glass śarīra reliquary and a silver tureen that appears to have been placed inside when the pagoda was repaired during the Goryeo Period. Inside the silver tureen was a śarīra wrapped in silk. Offerings that were buried along with the śarīra include fragments of gilt bronze ornaments whose use is not clearly known, a needle container, scissors, a perfume bottle, gold and silver needles, shells, various jades, and two Chinese coins.