The relic was first brought to the imperial palace by Emperor Gongdi of the Western Wei dynasty (ruled 554-556 AD). Once every 30 years thereafter, offerings were made to the relic by a series of eight emperors of the Northern Wei, Sui, and Tang dynasties.
在中國歷史上，最早迎奉佛指舍利的皇帝是西魏恭帝，此後，北魏、隋、唐，前後有八位皇帝，每隔三十年迎奉佛指入宮供養，直到唐僖宗將佛骨送回法門寺，下令封鎖地宮。