Two sides of the gold plated coffin are exquisitely engraved with an image of Sakyamuni Buddha, lying on his side, eyes closed, about to enter Nirvana. His mourning followers are depicted as individuals with distinct gestures and expressions. The other sides of the coffin are engraved with images of monks and Bodhisattvas. The coffin measures 47 cm in length, 20 cm in width and 20 cm in height.

Photo taken on Sept. 25, 2008 shows a small gilt silver coffin excavated by local archeologists beneath a Buddihist pagoda in Yanzhou, east China's Shandong Province. [Xinhua]

Archaeologists also found a stone stele outside the stone sarcophagus, relating the basic history of the Xinglong pagoda and information about the sarira, remains from cremation of Buddha’s body, in the reliquary. On the stone sarcophagus, there are carvings of protectors of the Buddhist dharma.

The 13 cm high reliquary made of pure gold and topped with a seated figure, is typical of the Song Dynasty style.

The photo taken on Sept. 25, 2008 shows the objects excavated by local archeologists beneath a Buddihist pagoda in Yanzhou, east China's Shandong Province. [Xinhua]

 
Other items discovered nearby include a Ming Dynasty porcelain bowl, a Song Dynasty pottery Buddha figure and a Tang Dynasty tomb memorial tablet. All the items will be of great significance in the study of Buddhist culture in the Yanzhou area, say experts.