Bone, Stone and Throne: Relic Veneration's Rise and Impact on Pre-Modern Chinese Society

Summary

The rise of relic veneration in Chinese Buddhism, particularly through the enshrinement of Gautama Śākyamuni’s remains, profoundly shaped monastic life and broader pre-modern Chinese society. This study examines the origins and socio-cultural impact of this tradition, tracing its roots to early Indian Buddhist practices. The concept of relics, initially tied to the Buddha’s physical remains like bones (asthi), evolved into a broader symbol of spiritual connection. Emperor Asoka’s distribution of relics across his empire in the 3rd century BCE and the construction of stupas marked early institutionalization of this practice. Over time, relic veneration became central to monastic identity, with Indian inscriptions and texts like the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra and Lotus Sūtra documenting its role in merit-making and spiritual aspiration. Scholarship reveals debates over relic veneration’s origins and benefits, with Theravada and Mahayana traditions offering differing views. While some scholars argue monastic communities engaged in relic practices early on, others emphasize lay involvement. The tradition’s evolution in China reflects adaptation to local conditions, influencing socio-political and intellectual landscapes. Western interpretations, shaped by Catholic and Protestant perspectives, historically dismissed relic veneration as unrefined or symbolic, but recent scholarship emphasizes understanding it from within Buddhist material culture. Ultimately, relic veneration sustained the Buddha’s legacy, embedding his presence in stūpas and shaping Chinese Buddhist identity across centuries.