Study On The Lotus Sutra Art In Dunhuang From The Northern Dynasties To The Sui Dynasty

This paper will conduct a research on the art of the Lotus Sutr(?) in DunhuangCaves in the period of the Northern Dynasties and the Sui Dynasty, mainly on itsrepresenting form and the background of faith. And will also conduct a connectiveresearch on the documents and manuscripts from Dunhuang, as well as on the arts onthe Lotus Sutr(?) in the regions outside of Dunhuang.The author considers that the period of the Northern Dynasties and the SuiDynasty is an important age in the developing history of the art of the Lotus Stura inDunhuang, in which the art origined and developed primarily. Developing from theearly form of "S(?)kyamuni and Prabh(?)taratna" sitting side by side to the form ofillustration of the Lotus Sutr(?) and of the Avalokite(?)vara Sutr(?) in the Sui Dynasty, theart influences afterwards the art form of the Lotus Stura in the Tang Dynasty and thelater ages.The author also considers that there is relationship between the art and other artspresenting the contexts of other sutr(?)s such as the Nirv(?)na Sutr(?), and other faithsincluding the faith to the Pureland, to Maitya, and the practice of meditation. So, theart also represents the faith to the Lotus Sutr(?) in Dunhuang even the part of ancientChinese Louts Sutr(?) faith in this period.The author also considers that the documents and Dunhuang manuscripts writtenin this period are as important as the art of the Lotus Sutr(?) in Dunhuang Caves, inrepresenting the thoughts and faith to the Lotus Sutr(?) in history. So, it is helpful for usto conduct a comparative research on them with the art of the Lotus Sutr(?) inDunhuang.The author finally draw a conclusion that the art of the Lotus Sutr(?) in Dunhuangin the period generally absorbed and lasted the forms from other regions, as well ascreated its new forms of the art.