Narabara Sutra Mound: Sutra Reliquary

JAPAN, Ehime, Imabari; Heian period

This sutra reliquary was excavated in 1934 from one of two sutra mounds southeast of the Narabara Jinja Buddha Hall. The temple was constructed during the Nara period (710–794); however, the artifacts discovered there, which include sutra reliquaries, knives, mirrors, fans, ornaments, bells, coins, and chopsticks, show a high level of craftsmanship associated with the late Heian period. Due to its historical significance, this sutra reliquary was listed as a National Treasure in 1956.
The sutra reliquary is in the form of a pagoda consisting of a body, roof, stacked rings, and finial. The body is cylindrical and is surrounded by inverted lotus petals at the bottom. An inscription of the Lotus Sutra seed syllable mandala in Sanskrit and the Vairocana Mantra are engraved on the body. It is also thought that ten copies of the Lotus Sutra were once preserved inside. Four chains link the top of the stacked rings to the corners of the roof, with a bell hanging from each corner.