1. An image decoding method for decoding pictures, the image decoding method comprising: obtaining, from a sequence parameter set corresponding to the coded bitstream, buffer descriptions, each of the buffer descriptions specifying reference pictures to be held in a buffer for decoding the pictures; obtaining, from the sequence parameter set, reference list descriptions, which correspond one-to-one with the buffer descriptions, each of the reference list descriptions indicating a correspondence relationship between one of the reference pictures that is specified by a corresponding one of the buffer descriptions and an index for identifying the one of the reference pictures; obtaining, from a header or one of slices in one of the pictures, buffer description selecting information indicating one of the buffer descriptions; obtaining, from the one of the slices, the index for identifying the one of the reference pictures; and specifying one of the reference pictures held in the buffer using (i) the reference list description which corresponds to the buffer description indicated by the buffer description selecting information and (ii) the index for identifying the one of the reference pictures, wherein syntax elements included in the sequence parameter set are used in common for decoding the pictures, the syntax elements including the buffer descriptions and the reference list descriptions, and wherein syntax elements included in the header of the one of the slices are used in common for decoding blocks in the one of the slices, the syntax elements including the buffer description selection information.