The Research Of The Icon Of Bodhisattva Kitigarbhaon During The Tang To Song Dynasty

The belief in Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha (Di-zang) has persisted for over a thousand years in China. Since this belief involves popular cults, it has earned the devotion of the Chinese people and has spread widely and continuously. This belief almost equals the belief in Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Guan-yin). In China, belief in Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha can be traced back to the Northern Liang Dynasty (397-439 C.E.). During the Sui and Tang periods, Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha sutras were brought into China; consequently, the belief in Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha gradually flourished. Buddhist monastics and lay disciples carved or painted the images of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha and enshrined them in caves, temples or family shrines for worship. From the numerous statues and paintings of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, we can see that the earliest icons of this Bodhisattva appeared approximately in the early seventh century and their popularity continued until the Song Dynasty. Without doubt, the research on the icons of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha from the Tang to the Song Dynasties mainly involves the study of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha during its peak period.This thesis analyzes and discusses the numerous icons of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha in the caves and temples in China. It presents a series of preliminary investigations on the origin, development, forms, significance, aesthetics and cultural concepts of the Ksitigarbha iconography in China. Among these surveys, the main points are the development and meanings of the icon of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, leading to explorations of the regulations in the development of this icon during the Tang and...