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Reliquary
India, Sonari Stupa 2, Vidisha region, Madhya Pradesh
Not on view
The exceptionally large lathe-turned stone reliquary seen here was discovered within the brick core of the Sonari stupa during an excavation in 1851. Within the object were four reliquaries, including one inscribed with the name of Majhima, an esteemed third-century BCE monastic. Interring the remains of revered lineage teachers was a widespread practice soon after the Buddha’s death in about 400 BCE.
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