Gallery 302

Gallery 301 features the theme of Ashoka Pagodas, showcasing the collections of Ashoka Pagodas made of different materials from the museums in Zhejiang Province, China. When you step into this gallery, you will be immediately transported back to the time of Wuyue Kingdom, when precious pagodas dotted the landscape for miles and miles. The Ashoka Pagodas commissioned by King Qian Chu were metal miniature pagodas designed to hold scrolls of Buddhist scriptures and bury relics. Most of the unearthed Ashoka Pagodas today are made of bronze, with a few made of iron. The Ashoka Pagodas on display in this gallery are made of silver, bronze, gilt bronze, iron and gilt iron. The most outstanding piece among them is the Five Dynasties gilt pure silver Ashoka Pagoda. This Ashoka Pagoda is the first artifact unearthed from the ruins of Leifeng Pagoda, and one of only two pure silver Ashoka Pagodas that exist in the world today. This pagoda was restored in 2008. The pagoda and the gold relic bottle inside the pagoda are on loan to Taiwan for the very first time.

The Structure of Ashoka Pagodas

An Ashoka Pagoda contains the following basic design and structure: a square shape; a hollow interior; and three parts - a base, a body, and a top. On each of the four corners of the top stands a banana-leaf-shaped ornament, variously decorated with figures of Vajra Guardian, sitting Buddha in meditation, or scenes from Buddha’s life stories. At the center of the top stands a spire with tiers of discs. At the body, each of the four sides has a cast or openwork engraved scene from one of the life stories of the Buddha: “Prince Mahasattva sacrificing himself to feed the starving tigers,” “King Shipi bartering his own flesh to save the Dove,” “King Quick Eyes giving his eyes as alms,” “King Moonlight giving his head.” On each of the four corners of the body stands a golden-winged bird.

選件說明

  • Gilt Pure Silver Ashoka Pagoda
    Gilt Pure Silver Ashoka Pagoda

    Wuyue, Five Dynasties(907-978)
    Total Height: 33.5 cm
    Unearthed from the ruins of Leifeng Pagoda, Zhejiang, China in 2000
    From the Zhejiang Museum Collection

    Gold Relic Bottle
    Gold Relic Bottle

    Wuyue, Five Dynasties(907-978)
    Total Height: 4.4 cm
    Unearthed from the ruins of Leifeng Pagoda, Zhejiang, China in 2000
    From the Zhejiang Museum Collection

    Leifeng Pagoda was built by King Qian Chu to enshrine the Buddha’s hair relic. He commissioned two silver Ashoka Pagodas for Leifeng Pagoda which were analogous to the “gold coffin and silver casket,” the highest standard of Buddha’s relic burial in the Tang period. One was the gilt silver Ashoka Pagoda with a gold coffin placed in its interior, unearthed at the Underground Palace. The other was the silver Ashoka Pagoda with a gold bottle placed in its interior, enshrined in the Heaven Palace of the pagoda and unearthed at the ruins of the pagoda. They are the only two silver pagodas in existence today.

  • Gilt Pure Silver Ashoka Pagoda
    Gilt Pure Silver Ashoka Pagoda

    Wuyue, Five Dynasties(907-978)
    Total Height: 33.5 cm
    Unearthed from the ruins of Leifeng Pagoda, Zhejiang, China in 2000
    From the Zhejiang Museum Collection

    This pagoda was commissioned by Wuyue King Qian Chu. It is made up of three parts: a base, a body and a top. The surface is gilded. Each of the four sides of the base is engraved with three sitting Buddha statues. Each of the four sides of the body is engraved with scenes depicting the life stories of the Buddha. In each of the four corners of the pagoda top stands a banana-leaf-shaped ornament. The outer surfaces of each banana leaf are carved with Dharma Protector figures, and the inner surfaces are carved with sitting Buddha figures. The spire has seven tiers of discs. The base of the spire is a square-shaped lotus pedestal. The cylindrical bottom of the spire inserts into the body of the pagoda. The inner surface of the pagoda body is carved with an intaglio inscription: “King of Wuyue Kingdom/ Qian Hongchu respectfully commissioned/ Eighty-four Thousand precious pagodas/ recorded in the year Yimao.” Yimao is the 2nd year of the Xiande era (955) in the Later Zhou Dynasty. Also in the inscription: Serial Number “Ji.”

  • Iron Ashoka Pagoda
    Iron Ashoka Pagoda

    Wuyue, Five Dynasties (907-978)
    Total Height: 17.2 cm; Side Length of Base: 10 cm
    Unearthed from Huiguang Pagoda, Ruian, Zhejiang in 1966
    From the Zhejiang Provincial Museum Collection

    This pagoda was commissioned by Wuyue King Qian Chu. It is made up of a base, a body and a top. The discs on the spire are missing. The panel at the bottom of the pagoda base has a relief inscription that reads, “King Chu of Wuyue Kingdom/ commissioned Eighty-four Thousand precious pagodas/as eternal offering in the year Yichou.” Yichou is the 3rd year of the Qiande era (965) in the Northern Song Dynasty.

  • Gilt Pure Silver Ashoka Pagoda
    Gilt Pure Silver Ashoka Pagoda

    Wuyue, Five Dynasties(907-978)
    Total Height: 33.5 cm
    Unearthed from the ruins of Leifeng Pagoda, Zhejiang, China in 2000
    From the Zhejiang Museum Collection

    This pagoda is a popular Wuyue replica. It is made up of a base, a body and a top. The spire has five tiers of discs. The tip of the spire is decorated with a flame-shaped gem. The pagoda base is inscribed with the title “Monk Hui Qui.” Along the four sides of the pagoda body, there is a strip of carved inscription that reads: “Amitahba Ceremony at Longce Temple, Wuyue Kingdom/ Buddhist disciple Pan Wenyan, wife, Wang Shiyiniang/ Nanrenda Family and Relatives/ commissioned this pagoda with eternal respect.”

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