A Study On Buddhist Stone Lamps In The Tang Dynasty

As an accessorial building, the Stone Lantern is very common in the Buddhist temple of Tang Dynasty, which is located before the Mahavira Hall for offerings. Nowadays, there are only five complete Stone Lanterns of Tang Dynasty in China. Making a study on these precious cultural relics will help us have a better understanding of the Buddhist belief. This dissertation consists of three parts:the development and function of the Stone Lantern, the structure and patterns, its influence on Taoism and foreign countries.The first part is about the development and function of the Stone Lantern. The Stone Lantern combines the lantern and the Buddhist Stone Pillar, which can lighting and make us far away from troubles. The earliest Stone Lantern in the materials is Shanxi Taiyuan Tongzi Temple Pagoda lamp of Beiqi Dynasty. The function of Stone Lantern has three points:offering, blessing and burying. Through the Stone Lantern, we can increase good fortune, wealth and wisdom.The second part is about the structure and patterns of the Stone Lantern, from which we dissect its formal and inner beauty. The structure contains four parts. There are patterns of lotus, the Jiyue flying, dragon and Baoxiang flower, which have some Buddhist meanings.The third part is about its influence on Taoism and foreign countries. In the Taoist temple we can also see the Stone Lantern. In Japan, there are thousands of Stone Lanterns, which play an important role in the Japanese classical gardens.