Although the term sarira can be used to refer to a wide variety of Buddhist relics, as listed above, it is generally used to refer to pearl or crystal-like bead-shaped objects that are purportedly found among the cremated ashes of Buddhist spiritual masters.
These objects are considered relics of significant importance in many sects of Buddhism since they are believed to embody the spiritual knowledge, teachings, realizations or living essence of spiritual masters. They are taken as evidence of the masters' enlightenment and spiritual purity. Some believe that sariras are deliberately left by the consciousness of a master for veneration, and that the beauty of the sariras depends on how well the masters had cultivated their mind and souls. Sariras come in a variety of colors, and some are even translucent.
Sariras are typically displayed in a glass bowl inside small gold urns or stupas as well as enshrined inside the master's statue. Sarira are also believed to mysteriously multiply while inside their containers if they have been stored under favorable conditions. Saffron threads are sometimes placed within or around the bowl containing individual sarira as an offering.
In the Korean Samguk Yusa it is said that the monk, Myojong, received a sarira from a turtle which caused others to treat the monk better.[3]
The occurrence of sarira is not restricted to ancient times, and many Buddhists have shown that sarira are not limited to humans or masters. The cremation of Tong Xian (通显法师) in March 1991 reportedly yielded 11,000 sariras. Many Pure Land Buddhist texts also report sariras of many adherents, some occurring recently.[4] Parrots and a dog have been reported to leave sariras after their cremation.[5][6]
Some Buddhists associate a student's spiritual life with the amount and condition of the sarira they leave after cremation. Many Pure Land Buddhists believe Amitabha's power manifests cremated remains into sarira. Many claim that pearls of sarira rain at the funerals of eminent monks. There are reports that sarira may appear, multiply or disappear, depending on a keeper's thoughts.[7] One's vow may also be important. One legend holds that the translator Kumārajīva wanted to demonstrate that his translations were not false; as a result his tongue remained intact after cremation.