Leifeng Pagoda: Casket Seal Dharani Pagoda

CHINA, Zhejiang, Hangzhou; Five Dynasties

This pagoda was recovered from the underground palace of Leifeng Pagoda. It was created by repoussé and welding techniques and is divided into four sections, including the base, body, four plantain leaves, and a spire. Within the pagoda is a reliquary containing hair of the Buddha. The enshrining of the hair was recorded in the Postscript on the Avatamsaka Sutra written by King Qian Hongchu (reigned 948–978) of Wuyue.
The pagoda is 35.6 cm high and is sealed by a panel at the bottom. Each side of the pagoda is 12.5 cm long. The sides of the base are decorated with a row of ogee arches, each of which contains a tiny Buddha image. The square body has an arched niche on each side with openworks of Jataka stories: the King Candraprabha Jataka, King Sudhira Jataka, King Sibi Jataka, and Prince Mahasattva Jataka. A creature with a human head and the body of a bird is located at each corner surrounded by honeysuckle patterns and beasts.
Each corner above the body has a plantain leaf, some of which are decorated with sixteen Buddhist stories on the upper and lower sections; themes include stories from the Life of the Buddha. The side of each leaf facing inward is carved with a Buddha image.
The spire is 22.4 cm high and consists of a lotus base and stacked rings decorated with honeysuckle and bead patterns. The finial is composed of a flaming jewel.