Difference between revisions of "Sārira-dhātu"
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| − | Sārira-dhātu (Pali), is the special bodily relics found amongst the bone remains after the cremation of Buddha and most [[Arahant]]. The extreme heat of the fire usually causes the larger bone segments to disintegrate and break up, leaving many small, often porous and ashen white colored fragments. After a certain period, the physical elements in each piece of the bone fragments is believed to amalgamate into dense, hard, crystal-like pebbles of various hues of translucency and opacity. The crystal-like [[Sarira]] is believe to able to transform itself from a single pebble into multiple pebbles or from multiple pebbles fused into a single pebble. Even the hair, which were collected when the [[Arahant]] shaved his head each month, is believed able to undergo a transformation similar to the cremated bone fragments. | + | [[Sārira-dhātu]] ([[Pali]]), is the special [[bodily]] [[relics]] found amongst the bone remains after the [[cremation]] of [[Buddha]] and most [[Arahant]]. The extreme heat of the [[fire]] usually [[causes]] the larger bone segments to disintegrate and break up, leaving many small, often porous and ashen white colored fragments. After a certain period, the [[physical]] [[elements]] in each piece of the bone fragments is believed to amalgamate into dense, hard, crystal-like pebbles of various hues of translucency and opacity. The crystal-like [[Sarira]] is believe to able to [[transform]] itself from a single pebble into multiple pebbles or from multiple pebbles fused into a single pebble. Even the [[hair]], which were collected when the [[Arahant]] shaved his head each month, is believed able to undergo a [[transformation]] similar to the cremated bone fragments. |
| − | After the cremation of a revered [[Monk]], it is customary in Thailand to distribute the remains to the [[Monk]] representing the various province of the country (so that it can be placed in public shrines), the revered [[Monk]]'s disciples, his lay follower, and general public. | + | After the [[cremation]] of a revered [[Monk]], it is customary in [[Thailand]] to distribute the remains to the [[Monk]] representing the various province of the country (so that it can be placed in public [[shrines]]), the revered [[Monk]]'s [[disciples]], his lay follower, and general public. |
| − | The transformation of the bone fragments into [[Sarira]] is believed to be the cleansing effect an [[Arahant]] has on his physical body elements ([[Khandhas]]). The process of investigating the [[Dhamma]] in deep [[Samadhi]] for the purpose gaining awakening is contributing to the cleansing of the physical body element. After the awakening the physical body elements of an [[Arahant]] will remain unpolluted by the mental defilement (greed, hatred and delusion), at the same time an intrinsic level of [[Samadhi]] that steadily works to cleanse the physical body element is maintained throughout the [[Arahant]] daily activities. The duration between the day an [[Arahant]] gains awakening and the day the [[Arahant]] passes away will have an effect on whether his remains will transform into [[Sarira]], as the cleansing of his physical body elements is a slow process. | + | The [[transformation]] of the bone fragments into [[Sarira]] is believed to be the [[cleansing]] effect an [[Arahant]] has on his [[physical body]] [[elements]] ([[Khandhas]]). The process of investigating the [[Dhamma]] in deep [[Samadhi]] for the purpose gaining [[awakening]] is contributing to the [[cleansing]] of the [[physical body]] [[element]]. After the [[awakening]] the [[physical body]] [[elements]] of an [[Arahant]] will remain unpolluted by the [[mental]] [[defilement]] ([[greed]], [[hatred]] and [[delusion]]), at the same [[time]] an intrinsic level of [[Samadhi]] that steadily works to cleanse the [[physical body]] [[element]] is maintained throughout the [[Arahant]] daily activities. The [[duration]] between the day an [[Arahant]] gains [[awakening]] and the day the [[Arahant]] passes away will have an effect on whether his remains will [[transform]] into [[Sarira]], as the [[cleansing]] of his [[physical body]] [[elements]] is a slow process. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddha Shakyamuni]] | [[Category:Buddha Shakyamuni]] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:14, 4 September 2013
Sārira-dhātu (Pali), is the special bodily relics found amongst the bone remains after the cremation of Buddha and most Arahant. The extreme heat of the fire usually causes the larger bone segments to disintegrate and break up, leaving many small, often porous and ashen white colored fragments. After a certain period, the physical elements in each piece of the bone fragments is believed to amalgamate into dense, hard, crystal-like pebbles of various hues of translucency and opacity. The crystal-like Sarira is believe to able to transform itself from a single pebble into multiple pebbles or from multiple pebbles fused into a single pebble. Even the hair, which were collected when the Arahant shaved his head each month, is believed able to undergo a transformation similar to the cremated bone fragments.
After the cremation of a revered Monk, it is customary in Thailand to distribute the remains to the Monk representing the various province of the country (so that it can be placed in public shrines), the revered Monk's disciples, his lay follower, and general public.
The transformation of the bone fragments into Sarira is believed to be the cleansing effect an Arahant has on his physical body elements (Khandhas). The process of investigating the Dhamma in deep Samadhi for the purpose gaining awakening is contributing to the cleansing of the physical body element. After the awakening the physical body elements of an Arahant will remain unpolluted by the mental defilement (greed, hatred and delusion), at the same time an intrinsic level of Samadhi that steadily works to cleanse the physical body element is maintained throughout the Arahant daily activities. The duration between the day an Arahant gains awakening and the day the Arahant passes away will have an effect on whether his remains will transform into Sarira, as the cleansing of his physical body elements is a slow process.
