舍利子是佛教高僧死后所遺留的頭發(fā)、骨骼等在火化后所產(chǎn)生的結(jié)晶體，又稱堅固子。
舍利子形狀千變?nèi)f化，顏色也各不相同，有的像珍珠，有的像瑪瑙、水晶。佛教認(rèn)為，它只是物質(zhì)元素并無靈異成分，佛教徒尊敬和供奉舍利子主要是因為高僧生前的功德和慈悲智慧。
舍利是印度語，梵文?arīra，或譯室利羅、設(shè)利羅；義“骨身”、“體”、“遺身“，是印度人死后身體的總稱。但本意卻非如此。舍利最初意思是代表“米粒”，因為佛舍利形似米粒，所以得名。所以舍利最初只是一借代詞語，完全是從其形狀上立名的。
在印度，人死后的遺體，俗例多用火葬，火葬后的骨灰（舍利），藏在金屬的、石質(zhì)的、陶質(zhì)的容器中，埋在地下。稍高出地面的即稱為塔，塔是高顯的意思，相當(dāng)于中國的墳。藏舍利的容器，無論是金屬的石質(zhì)的，有特殊形式，可以供奉在屋里，也稱為塔。這種藏舍利的塔，就是中國寶塔的來源。因此，舍利與塔，在印度民族宗教中，成為尊敬的對象。而中國對于祖先的遺體，墳?zāi)贡愠蔀樽鹁磳ο蟆?/p>
舍利子為佛教至寶，平時難得一見。此顆舍利質(zhì)地溫潤光澤，晶瑩剔透，在強(qiáng)光照射下會呈現(xiàn)黃綠色，為世間罕有之收藏珍品。
Buddhist relics are the crystals produced by cremation of hair and bones left by Buddhist monks after their death, also known as strong ones.
Buddhist relics are ever-changing in shape and color, some like pearls, others like agate and crystal. According to Buddhism, it is only a material element, but there is no spiritual element. Buddhists respect and worship Buddhist relics mainly because of the merits, virtues, compassion and wisdom of monks before their death.
Sari is Hindi, Sanskrit ?arīra, or translated Sri Luo and Sheliro; The meanings of "bone body", "body" and "body-leaving" are the general names of Indian bodies after death. But it wasn't meant to be. The original meaning of Buddhist relics is "rice grain", because Buddhist relics are shaped like rice grains, hence its name. Therefore, sarira was just a metonymy at first, and it was named from its shape.
In India, the remains of people after death are often cremated, and the ashes (relics) after cremation are hidden in metal, stone and ceramic containers and buried underground. Slightly higher than the ground is called a tower, which means high, which is equivalent to a grave in China. The containers for storing relics, whether made of metal or stone, have special forms and can be enshrined in houses, also called towers. This kind of pagoda for storing relics is the source of Chinese pagodas. Therefore, sarira and pagoda have become objects of respect in Indian national religion. In China, graves have become the object of respect for the remains of ancestors.
Buddhist relics are the treasure of Buddhism, which is rarely seen at ordinary times. This relic is warm, shiny and crystal clear, and it will be yellow-green under strong light, making it a rare collection treasure in the world.
