Reliquary in the Shape of Flaming Jewel on a Lion 金銅獅子座火焔宝珠形舎利容器こんどうししざかえんほうじゅがたしゃりようき

Description

{i=>[cintāmaṇi, hōju, honji], content=>[Reliquaries are made in the form of wish-fulfilling jewels (Skt. , ; J. , ) because these precious sacred gems and the bodily relics of the historical Buddha Shaka (Skt. Śākyamuni) are believed to be equivalent in Japanese Buddhism. The relic enshrined upon this lion mount may represent the bodhisattva Monju (Skt. Mañjuśrī), who rides a lion. Monju is the “original form” (, ) of the Wakamiya deity, and so this reliquary is thought to be associated with Kasuga Wakamiya Shrine.]}