A Study On Mogao Cave 55 In Dunhuang

Cao Family's Administration over the Return-to-Allegiance Army Regime is a local regime of Five Dynasties and the Song Dynasty.Most previous Cao Family'smilitary governors believed in Buddhism,and made an important contribution to the development of politics and religion in Dunhuang.Mogao Cave 55(962-964 A.D.)was erected by Cao Yuanzhong,who was the forth Military-Governor of Cao Family.The statues and murals preserved original form,except the repainted worship images.Whether selection and combination of statues and Sutra illustration,or the religion and secular significance of Cave 55,the cave has representativeness in the Dunhuang Caves.Based on the existed research,and in light of Archaeology,Philology and iconology,this thesis interpreted the Buddhist faith and secular significance,and explored the overall design concept of Cave 55.The statue which lies in the center of butsudan and Maitreya locates at the west side of ceiling,codetermines the belief of Maitreya.Four Sutra illustrations of ceiling represent the concept of Ten-Dhyani Buddhas,and takes Maitreya Sukhavati as the core,contains every altar Pure Land in other Buddhism.The back screens of altar represents the strong political meaning.Seven Buddha in east wall of main chamber,composes Suvarnaprabh?sa Illustration and Ghanavyahasutra Illustration,it reflceted the main motivate of the caves are confession,Bardo Thodol,and acted in cooperation with Maitreya Sutra Illustrationin ceiling.Four groups illustrations of Maitreya Sutra Illustration,Brahma S?tra Illustration,Amit-yurdhy-na-S?tra Illustration,Bhaisajyaguru Sutra Illustration,Returning Favors Sutra Illustration,Visesacintabrahmapariprccha s?tra Illustration,Avalokitesvara Sutra Illustration,Usnisa-vijaya-dharani Illustration in south and north wall,offered different kinds of arrangements to confession and reborn in different azimuth and gradations.Cave 55 integrated secular concept into religion statues,not only expressedreligion dream,but also described the real utility.The main motivate of the caves are confession,Bardo Thodol,Maitreya Sukhavati,The design concept of owner was reflected in the image arrangement.In the aspect of religion ideally,Cave 55 has inherited the statues traditions in Dunhuang.Configuration of altar and dome image mainly reflected Maitreya belief,attached great importance to the context of Maitreya,and drew attention to the relation and contact of image,reflected the spirit of Maitreya and integrations of various Sukhavati.In the construction of cave 55 which reflected the Maitreya belief,wish all living can achieve Sukhavati.Excepted highlighting the family reputation and influence,cave 55 showed the unique political and religious ideal of CaoYuanzhong.The cave not only showed his belief and convert of Buddhism,but also proved the great contribution of Cao's families in history.