국립중앙박물관 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA

Highlights
Sarira Reliquaries from the Five-story Stone Pagoda in Wanggung-ri, Iksan (Glass Beads)
  • Nationality/Period

    Unified Silla Period

  • Provenance

    Iksan-si

  • Materials

    Glass/ Gemstone - Glass

  • Category

    religion - Buddhism - ascetic practices - Buddhist rosary

  • Designation

    National Treasure 123

  • Accession Number

    Sinsu 2131

These glass beads found during the dismantling and restoration of the Five-story Stone Pagoda in Wanggung-ri, Iksan in 1965 attracted considerable attention from historians due to their similarity with the prayer beads used by Buddhists to count off the prayers they say. The beads, which symbolize the Buddhist Law or Buddha nature, exhibit various shades of brown and, occasionally, green.