Research On Stupa Inscriptions Of Tang Dynasty

As a form of literature relating to Buddhism, stupa inscriptions is commonly engraved on or buried in the stupa. The content of stupa inscriptions, which is closely related to Buddha stupa, is of religious, literary and historical significance. Based on the complication of stupa inscriptions, this paper focuses on stupa inscriptions of Tang Dynasty and attempts to discuss its properties and classification. This paper can be primarily divided into four parts as follows. The first part gives a definition and introduction of stupa inscriptions. The second part mainly discusses the literary style and development of stupa inscriptions by comparing other texts relating to the Buddha stupa with it. The third part investigates social atmosphere in Tang Dynasty under the influence of Buddhism. The last part provides an index of stupa inscriptions existing.