Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Ask God -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: 2MAR$ who wrote (34521)	3/16/2003 6:51:53 PM
From: average joe	Respond to of 39621

Temple houses mysterious object Relic is believed to be part of Buddha's finger. By ANNIE HUANG The Associated Press FUFENG, CHINA – The cream-colored object displayed in a miniature golden pagoda looks more like a thumb ring made of ivory. But for many worshippers, it's believed to be a 2,500-year-old piece of the Buddha's finger. Even if visitors have doubts about the relic, a tour of its home at the Famen Temple in central China can be a fascinating experience. The so-called finger was excavated just over 15 years ago, along with the 2,000 treasures that were buried with it for more than 1,100 years. The pieces conjure long lost images of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), a golden era for Buddhism in China. The Famen Temple Museum that sits today in the rural township of Fufeng - about 65 miles west of the ancient capital of Xi'an - is a recent reconstruction of the majestic temple grounds that once housed thousands of monks in its 24 courtyards. During the Tang Dynasty, monks and officials had taken the "finger" out of the temple six times for a grand worship at the capital of Changan, renamed Xi'an. The ceremonies lasted months and were presided over by the emperors to help bring more prosperity and to secure their dynasty's eternal rule. According to historical documents, the parade escorting the finger on the journey was often several miles long, with worshippers bursting into tears at the sight of the remains. Today, China's communist leaders do not believe in Buddhism, but the "finger" and other gold, silver, and porcelain pieces were considered testimony to the country's ancient power. "We don't believe in Buddhism so much, but these are treasured cultural relics of our country," tourist guide Han Lanlan tells visitors standing before a serene Buddha statue. Officials lauded the 1987 Famen discovery as the greatest since the 1974 discovery of the underground army of terra-cotta warriors of Qinshihuang in Xi'an. GETTING THERE: You can get a taxi for a one-day sightseeing trip from Xi'an to Famen Temple and back at a cost of about $100. You can also take a train from Xi'an to Meixian, where you can then take a bus to Fufeng. After Buddha's cremation, some historians believe his bones were saved by Indian monks and that a few pieces were brought to China when the monks came here to preach Buddhism. Since the Tang Dynasty, the finger had been stored in a low basement at Famen Temple, built as an underground palace for the deceased Buddha with several compartments divided by stone gates. Documents show that Emperor Xizhong ordered the basement sealed in 874 after storing some 2,000 treasures and 25,000 silver coins around the finger to create a miniature Buddhist world. Famen Temple officials only rediscovered the basement in 1987 when rebuilding a half-collapsed pagoda that split along the center line. What's believed to be an authentic finger, called divine bone, was found along with three fake ones, called shadow bones, made to confuse burglars. All were stored in many layers of gold containers. "Whether they are divine or shadow bones, they are all treasures in the world of Buddhism," guide Han tells visitors. Among other treasures, there were several grayish green porcelain plates and vases, believed to be the first discovery of the fine porcelain pieces exclusively made for the Tang emperors. There were also embroidered silk robes and elaborately carved gold and silver tea sets, incense burners and other utensils. Two silver balls have balm containers inside that will not spill regardless of how you turn the round objects, using a theory similar to one used by navigating instruments. Another silver turtle-shaped incense burner had a thick layer of ashes on its top when it was found, a trait of the elaborate ceremony that officials believe was held before the sealing of the basement. www2.ocregister.com