Inside this delicate pavilion at Caotang Temple, Xi'an, Shaanxi, is a small pagoda which holds a relic said to be the tongue of Kumarajiva (344–413). Born in the Kingdom of Kucha (now part of Western Xinjiang, China), Kumarajiva is considered one of Chinese Buddhism's greatest Sanskrit-to-Chinese translators.
An American friend of mine--a gifted translator in his own right--was privileged to have the casket inside opened for him so he could see the shriveled tongue itself!
Posted to Reddit and Bluesky, June 13, 2025
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