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Zenodo
2026
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19917238 |
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Table of Contents:
- <p>ABSTRACT</p> <p>Dissertation Title - The Earthly Custodianship of the Four Tooth Relics: A Historical and Archaeological Reinterpretation of Theravāda Doctrinal Narratives</p> <p>Researcher - Sao Dhammasami (Venerable Dhammasami)</p> <p>Degree - Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)Thesis,M.A(Pali)</p> <p>In the historiographical tradition of Theravāda Buddhism, the Buddha’s Tooth Relics are strictly limited to "four," with canonical texts such as the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta and the Sumaṅgalavilāsinī situating some of these relics in mythological realms like Tāvatiṃsa (heaven) and Nāgapura (subterranean naga-world). However, contemporary archaeological excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and international museum archives provide empirical evidence of widespread relic multiplicity, demonstrating that tooth relics and their fragments exist extensively across the human realm in Asia. The primary objective of this research is to resolve the cognitive dissonance between the traditional "four relics only" doctrine and the empirical "multiplicity" reality by developing the "Earthly Custodianship Model."</p> <p>This study employs a Qualitative Documentary Research design utilizing a Multiple-Case Study approach. Primary data sources include archaeological reports, colonial-era museum acquisition records (e.g., British Museum, V&A Museum), and internal experiential case studies of relic custodians. Secondary sources comprise the Pāli Tipiṭaka, Aṭṭhakathā, traditional historical chronicles, and modern academic monographs. Data analysis is conducted through theoretical thematic coding utilizing a "Triple Knowledge Framework" (Textual, Material, and Experiential). No In-Depth Interviews (IDI) or Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted in this study.</p> <p>The research findings indicate that the "four relics" limitation in Theravāda texts is not a reflection of empirical historical reality, but rather an ideological historiographical construct designed to centralize religious authority and maintain doctrinal purity. Secondly, the study establishes that the terms "Nāga" and "Deva" in early canonical texts do not represent supernatural entities, but are symbolic socio-political designations for historical human tribes and royal authorities who served as the actual earthly custodians of the relics. Thirdly, supported by reliquary culture and fragmentation practices, the research confirms that all tooth relics historically existed and were managed exclusively within human geopolitical domains.</p> <p>This dissertation successfully constructs the "Myth-to-Geography Translation Model" to systematically convert mythological locations into historical realities. Furthermore, it proposes the "Earthly Custodianship Model," an interdisciplinary framework integrating Vinaya ethics, archaeological conservation, legal compliance, and crisis communication management. This model provides an operational paradigm for modern relic custodians to objectively navigate disputes over relic authenticity, mitigate crises of faith, and ensure the sustainable, transparent governance of sacred heritage.</p> <p>Keywords: Tooth Relic, Earthly Custodianship, Myth-to-Geography Transformation, Archaeological Evidence, Crisis of Faith.</p> <p> </p>