통일신라시대 蠟石製舍利壺의 발생과 전개에 대한 고찰

Abstract

In many cases, absolute age of Sarira jar made of pagodite in Unified Silla has been identified through inscription on its surface. This becomes an important standard to know relative chronicle of then living container or burial container for cremation tomb. But among containers made of pagodite, there were ones which were originally used in other application. Because they had inscription later, it is necessary to be careful to judge the time of production. Among examples, the use of which was changed, was sarira jar made of pagodite inscribed in Yeongtae's second year (永泰二年銘蠟石製壺) - this jar is a ground for the common view that sarira jar made of pagodite in Unified Silla began to be made in the middle of the 8th century. As a result of analysis of contents of inscriptions on floor and body part of sarira jar made of pagodite inscribed in Yeongtae's second year - until now, its absolute age was 766 - it was identified that the container was recycled from a container for other use. Moreover, the purpose of sarira jar made of pagodite was to contain historical record of statue of the Buddha and to enshrine Raśmivimalaviśuddhaprabhānāma-dhāraṇī-sutra, not to enshrine sarira. So it is difficult to connect the relic with sarira jar made of pagodite in terms of the time when sarira jar made of pagodite first began to be made. Accordingly, it was figured out that the year 766 is lower limit on the age of sarira jar made of pagodite inscribed in Yeongtae's second year, not absolute age; sarira jar made of pagodite in Unified Silla appeared in the earlier half of the 9th century, not the 8th century. And appearance of sarira jar made of pagodite was influenced by the tradition of the Eastern Asia's sarira decoration method not India. Furthermore, it is suggested that spinning wheel molding technique which was used to make wooden or metal container could be grafted into technique of processing pagodite. Finally, it is assumed that since fall of Silla, sarira jar made of pagodite had been disappeared gradually, this trend is closely related to the production of Goryeo ceramics which were replaced with sarira container made of pagodite after the 10th century.