The Research On Shentong Temple

This thesis is divided into three parts.The first part is the introduction. This part reviews the short history and the achievement of the research into Shentong Temple, states the importance of this paper, then making sure the objects and the methods of the research.The second part is the text, including five chapters.The first chapter is mainly about two questions——the site selection and the course of change and development. Firstly, the paper gives an account of the location of Shentong Temple shortly, then analyses the problem of the site selection from three aspects, including the influence of geomantic omen, the importance of Mount Tai in the Chinese traditional culture, the factors of natural resources and manpower resource around. Secondly, through seeking the relevant Document Literature and making use of the extant inscriptions on a tablet, make clear the course of change and development in Shentong Temple. Thereinto, the writer analyse the reasons of the historical event that six emperors inviting Zhusenglang, as a point of innovations in this paper.The second chapter mainly discusses two issues, which are the era and nature of the figures of Buddha in four-gate tower and the Buddhist relics. About the era of the figures of Buddha, the writer mainly from the comparation of the style of the sculptures and some other aspects, thus inferring that the four figures of Buhhda should be made in Sui Dynasty or later. Moreover, through comparing different periods of the Buddhist relics in and before Sui Dynasty, the writer thinks it not very precise to ascertain the relics to Wendi Renshou Years for Sui.The third chapter studies the sculptures of Shentong Temple and some other related issues. Firstly, through listing, describe two places of the sculptures in the temple with detail. Secondly, taking these sculptures into different stages and analyse their characteristics in style, the writer think very few of these sculptures belong to mid and late Tang Dynasty, which is different from the former research result. Thirdly, from five angles of group, targets, objects, contents and themes of the sculptures, analyse the colophons. Finally, curtly summarize the features of folk Buddhism belief, which is simple and utilitarian.The fourth chapter infers the origin to the name of the dragon and tiger tower. By observing the patterns on the tower body, the writer think there is no tiger’s image. Then, through several aspects, the writer considers that the name of the tower is in connection with the name of the hills.The fifth chapter is mainly about the Buddhist pagoda of masters and some other relevant issues. Firstly, by listing, describe these burial towers. Secondly, part these towers and summarize the features of them. Thirdly, discuss the reflective problems of these towers, including the administrators of the sangha, the array of the Buddhists and the burial system.The third part is the conclusion. Sum up the achievement and problems in this paper and make some supplements not involved in the text.