The Spreading And Evolution Of Tibetan Buddhism In Hexi Area In Xixia Period

Briefly speaking, Tibetan Buddhism is a Buddhism that has gradually formed in Tibet with affluent, local and ethnic characteristics after its being propogated into this place. Then it not only became the sole religion for almost all the Tibetans after its formation,. but also was disseminated into the inner land and held in the greatest esteem by the three dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing, which supported and treated it favourably and respectively.This paper focuses on a special period and a certain area under the historical background mentioned above. That is the segment of the evolutionary process of Tibetan Buddhism's dissemination into the east and the effect it brought to the local place.It is easy for us to find that this period is what we called Xixia, which has ruled Hexi for about 200 years as its strategic rear area. The main nationality of Xixia was Dangxiang nationality, which had intimate relations with Tubo nationality and took Tibetan Buddhism as its main belief, for the closely connected origin relations between different ethnic groups would cause the interlinking and similarity in religious belief.Also it is easy to find that this special area was Hexi. Why would Tibetan Buddhism favoured Hexi and stationed here and exerts its influence until now? This question is a main aspect to be illustrated in this paper.The prosperity of Tibetan Buddhism's dissemination in Hexi area is depicted specifically in this article as well. Surely it was connected with the support of Xixia government, which organized staff to translate Buddhist scriptures and bulit temples and grottoes. And the four main ceter areas-Liangzhou, Ganzhou, Anxi-dunhuang and Heishuicheng, came into being, followed by the dissemination of many sects of Tibetan Buddhism and the Secret Law for self-cultivation, such as"on the music of King Kong Benzun, Dashouyin Law and Daoguo Law". At the same time, the pouring in of some senior had as well helped develop Tibetan Buddhism in Hexi.It is without any doubt that the effect of Tibetan Buddhism in Hexi during the Xixia Period was far-reaching and significant. It not only promoted the national integration and the common development of both Tibetan Buddhism and Han Buddhism, but also caused the smooth progress of"Liangzhou Assembly"and its eastern dissemination.