Sarira, reliquary to return to Seoul after 85 years in Boston

Silver-gilt Lamaist pagoda-shaped sarira reliquary, dating back to the 14th century during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) [MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON]

A culturally significant sarira, or the sacred remains of Buddhist monks that take the form of small jewels or pearls found among their cremated remains, from Korea’s 14th century Goryeo (918-1392) Buddhist monks will return to Korea after spending 85 years in the United States.

The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) announced Tuesday that the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston decided to donate the sarira in its collection to the Jogye Order.

The accompanying sarira reliquary is a silver-gilt Lamaistic pagoda-shaped sarira case that is regarded as a more significant relic for being a masterpiece that embodies the essence of Buddhist art and culture from the 14th-century Goryeo, which had a close relationship with China’s Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), and will also be returning together with the sarira, not as a donation but as a loan. The duration of the loan has not been finalized yet, according to the CHA. The relics will be returned before Buddha’s birthday, which falls on May 15.

The Korean government and the Jogye Order have been trying to bring back the sarira and its reliquary to Korea since 2009. The process of negotiating with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has been slow, according to the CHA, but gained momentum after first lady Kim Keon-hee raised the issue while visiting the museum during her trip to the United States with the president in April last year.

According to the CHA, the sarira was illegally taken out of the country during the Japanese colonization of Korea (1910-45). The Boston museum is said to have purchased the relic from a dealer in 1939. Despite numerous attempts to persuade the museum to donate the sarira reliquary as well, CHA said the museum maintained its firm stance in keeping the container in its collection, citing a lack of evidence that the relic was acquired illegally.

The returning sarira includes remains of two revered Korean monks, Jigong and Naong, who are known for making numerous contributions to the history of Korean Buddhism.

As for the sarira reliquary, Choi Eung-chon, head of the CHA, said, “Though it’s returning in the form of a donation, coming back to its homeland for the first time in a century and allowing the public to witness its beauty is very meaningful.”

While staying in Korea, the sarira reliquary will undergo preservation treatments and be studied.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]