Both of these terms are ambiguous in English; they are generally used as synonyms, although according to some interpretations, ringsels are a subset of śarīras.

Many texts of Pure Land Buddhism report śarīras of many adherents, some occurring recently.

Some Buddhists associate a student's spiritual life with the amount and condition of the śarīra they leave after cremation.

Many Pure Land Buddhists believe Amitābha's power manifests cremated remains into śarīra.

[citation needed] There is evidence that under certain conditions of heating, human bones can form crystalline structures.

[5] Pearl relics are documented in the 2008 film, Unmistaken Child, among the cremation ashes of Geshe Lama Konchog.