Keely Bowles Juliana Kwan

Background on Chan(Zen) Buddhism

Developed in 6th Century in China Dominant Buddhist practice in China during the Tang and Song Fundamental assumption: Physical universe is an illusion and a creation of the mind Focus: Attain enlightenment through meditation, the way that the Buddha did
All beings have a Buddha-nature

The Chan Body

Body is seen as disgusting: "A bag of excrement."
But a necessary vessel for spiritual enlightenment

Enlightened body has no "outflows"

Can be taken metaphorically or literally

The single (individual, mortal) vs. the double (collective, immortal) body

The Cult of Relics

Relics refer to objects, places, or bodily remains that are associated with Buddha or a Buddhist saint - they are believed to be infused with their morality, concentration, and wisdom.

These relics hold the power that was embodied in the Buddha and other bodhisattvas

Fingerbone of the Buddha, enshrined in the Famen Monsastery

The Rise of the "Flesh-Bodies"

Mummies seem to be on the top of the relic hierarchy
However, this is not the case for all sects of Buddhism

Majority of mummies are found amongst Chinese Chan masters

Also found in Southeast Asia and parts of Russia

Self-Mummification (sokushin butsu) or "Flesh-Bodies"

Monks place themselves in a tomb-like structure sitting in lotus position
Achieved by entering the final samadhi

Samadhi
Consciousness induced by meditation A means to achieving enlightenment

Chinese Evolution of the Mummy Cult

Mummies were iconized through the application of dry lacquer Sengqie (d. 710)
Central Asian monk who came to be worshipped in Chinese religion as a god of navigation Preservation of his mummy contributed to his divinization Mummified body was lacquered and covered in gold dust

Mummification of Sengqie was a turning point - lacquering of mummies became common practice Image Halls
Mummies were supplemented by portraits of the dead

Chinese Evolution of the Mummy Cult

Ash icons
Representations of the dead made by mixing ashes with clay to create statues Probably to meet needs of the people and monks

Japanese Zen: Favored use of portraits Chinese Chan: Representation varied between mummies, ash icons and portraits

Icons and Portraits

Believing these items are infused with the spirituality of Buddhist saints provides proof of immortality. Power within the icon or portrait is dependent upon the relics placed in within it, as well as the proper ceremonial "opening of the eyes" that endows the icon with the powers of the Buddha or saint. This is where the idea of a "substitute body" comes from, these items act as a way for Buddhists to symbolically control death in order to regenerate the life of the Buddha or saint.

Bones of Contention
Superficial? Evolution of relics arise from the expectations of the community Used relics to attract followers, money, power, resources Power housed by the relics is the power than we give to it Relates to the video about the woman who saw the Buddha wave in the smoke

Transmission or Diffusion?
The purpose of relics is ultimately up to the practitioner Despite your perspective (ideological, religious, political, social), these perspectives offer insights and blindness to what relics are thought to be Relics and mummies serve as a reminder of death.

Key Questions to Consider

Is the purpose of relics to mainly help venerators with acknowledging and knowing about death? Or have relics evolved to serve a more practical purpose for generating income, crowds, attention, etc.

If relics have been constructed for a more practical purpose by those who have the power to produce them, do you think this takes away from the power that relics are believed to hold?