Discussion On The Evolution Of The Maitreya Statue Of North Central Plains During The Northern Dynasties

Maitreya worship entered into the central plain with the Buddhism between Donghan Dynasty and Wei Dynasty. Maitreya Bodhisattva lived in Tushita and Maitreya Buddha lived in Jambudvipa all were correlated to SanShiFo, ChanGuan and the idia of MoFa. The development of different patterns of Maitreya's images is all affected by these worships. The thesis is based on sutras, doctrine of Maitreya worship and the relics of Maitreya images, and trys to order an alignment of Maitreya's different art styles of the central plain in North Dynasty, discusses several questions concerned in terms of the order, and give the author's own opinion.As far as the time at which crossed-leg style image was defined as the special style of Maitreya, academic society has not defined conclusion. The thesis begins from the style and the background of the chief figures of No.17 in Yungang grotto, refers to the files of crossed-leg Bodhisattva in the first period of Yungang grotto and the earlier period of Longmen grotto, and come to a conclusion that the No.17 of Yungang is the turn point. It is the age of Wen Cheng emperor. As to the content and age of No.268, No.272, No.275 of early Duen Huang, I agree with the opinion of SuBai. He believes that these chief figures are Maitreya and belong to later of the second period of Yungang.The new style of Maitreya in the age of Hu queen in Northe Dynasty of Longmen exists in Weizi Cave, Huangfugong Cave and No.1, No.3, No.4 and No.5 of Gongxian grotto which is closed with Hu queen. She used these new Maitreya style to create an atmosphere for her political action.The academic society agrees with the opinion that grotto of Gongxian was sculptured at the later of North Wei Dynasty. However, as for the order of the five grottoes, people differ in their opinions. Compared with the new style of Maitreya Bodhisattva appeared in the east aspect of central poles of the caves, No.l, No.3, No.4 and the ease side of No.5 cave in Gongxian grotto with the figure ever preserved in Baima cample(now preserved in the U.S), the figures in north side of Weizi Cave and Huangfugong Cave, I think that the order of the five grottoes is: No.l is the first, then is No.4, No.3, No.5. As to No.2, there is not the new style of Maitreya Bodhisattva, so this article will not talk about it.