????An iron case expected to hold the hair of Buddha, which was unearthed from the foundation of a collapsed pagoda in east China, was opened by archaeologist Wednesday evening.

????A 35-centimeter-high silver miniature gold plated pagoda was found in the case. The four sides of the miniature pagoda were decorated with carving based on stories about Buddha's earlier incarnations.

????Through the perforation patterns on the pagoda, a gold vessel can be seen inside the pagoda. Experts believe the hair of Buddha is in the vessel.

????The vessel was sealed in the silver pagoda. Expert said they would not open the vessel for the reason of protecting the relic.

????This is the second time that the relic of Buddha's hair has been found in China. In 1970's, hair of Buddha Sakyamuni was found in the Shentong Temple in Yao County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

????The newly found well-protected silver pagoda, dating back to over 1,000 years ago, symbolizes the high level of art at that time, experts say.

????In addition to the silver pagoda, a square bronze mirror, a gilded silver box, a decadent belt and a little blue glass bottle were also found in the case.

????The iron case was unearthed from the foundation of Leifeng Pagoda near the scenic West Lake in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province on March 11.

????The excavation has drawn wide attention in China, because of a Chinese legend about the Leifeng Pagoda. According to the legend, fairy Bainiangzi was covered under the Leifeng Pagoda for the sacrifice of love.

????However, the over 1,000-year-old Leifeng Pagoda collapsed 77 years ago. Experts have debated for a long time whether to rebuild the pagoda.

????Last year, a decision was made by the government of Hangzhou to rebuild it. The excavation of the foundation of the old pagoda is a part of the rebuilding project.

????(People's Daily 03/16/2001)