An iron case unearthed from the foundation of a collapsed pagoda in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, on Sunday contained a 35-centimeter-high silver miniature, gold plated pagoda.

A gold vessel which archaeologists believe contains the hair of Buddha is inside the miniature pagoda, Xinhua news agency reported.

Archaeologists opened the iron case on Wednesday evening. They said the sides of the silver pagoda are decorated with carving based on stories about Buddha's earlier incarnations.

The gold vessel can be seen through the perforation patterns on the miniature pagoda.

Expert said they will not open the vessel for fear of damaging it.

It was the second time that a relic containing Buddha's hair has been found in China. Hair of Buddha Sakyamuni was found in the Shentong Temple in Yao County, Shaanxi Province, in the 1970s.

(Eastday.com 03/16/2001)