The Sarira Reliquary Set under the Patronage of Yi Seong-gye, the Founder of the Joseon Dynasty
Sarira Reliquaries Commissioned by Yi Seong-gye
  • Goryeo Dynasty, 1391
  • White porcelain, gilt bronze, and other media
  • bon 13072-13080
  • Treasure

Sometime between 1390 and 1391, Yi Seong-gye, who was yet to establish a new dynasty in 1392, and his closest political allies gathered in Mount Geumgang and vowed to have this reliquary set assembled. A nesting set of reliquaries comprised of porcelain bowls, a bronze bowl, and pagoda-shaped gilt bronze containers are inserted in a stone box. Votive texts inscribed on a porcelain bowl and the inner container recorded their wishes for the descent of Maitreya. Through this dedication of a reliquary set in Mount Geumgang, the most celebrated Buddhist sacred site of Goryeo, Yi Seong-gye, in his sincere devotion to Buddhism, expressed his determination to establish a new country.