The Study Of The Grotto Temples In The Longdong Area

By the extension of the Sui and Tang Dynasties,more than 20 grottoes have been excavated in Longdong area since Northern Wei Dynasty.A large group of grottoes has been formed in the area.The special geopraphical position of Longdong has made its artistic charm of Buddhism influenced not only by the Central Plains but also by the Buddhist culture of the Hexi Corridor,and has strong regional characteristics.These grottoes provide a crucial basis for the study of Buddhist culture in this area.The first chapter delivers a brief introduction of the study,including the purpose and significance of the study,research review,research methods,redefining the term “Longdong Area” and the distribution of the grottoes.The second chapter makes a macro analysis and research on the grottoes of Northern Dynasties,Sui and Tang Dynasties in the aspects of type of niches,the combination of the statues and the features of the statues.The grottoes group in Longdong area was excavated from the Years of Taihe in Northern Wei Dynasty and developed through the Western Wei Dynasty,the Northern Zhou Dynasty,Sui Dynasty,Tang Dynasty until Ming Dynasty.The statues of the grotto temples in Longdong area develop from simple appearance to maturity,the style became stronger during the Northern Wei Dynasty.The style of statues in Northern Wei Dynasty was inherited by the Western Wei Dynasty,the figure of statues became slender.The style of thin bones and clear bones was removed on the statues in the Northern Zhou Dynasty.The statues of the Sui Dynasty have the significance of connecting the past and the future.The statues are rich and bodybuilding.They are the prelude to the climax of the art of the Grottoes in the Tang Dynasty.In the Tang Dynasty,the image of the opening of the cave was at its height,and its combination was rich and varied.Its statues were totally aesthetical pursuits.The subsequent development of Grottoes in the Song Dynasty was slow or stagnant.The development of Grottoes in Longdong area is clear,which provides important reference materials for the study of Buddhist art in China.The third chapter discusses the origin of the grotto culture in Longdong area.the Longdong area is on the main road of the silk road.The statue of the Northern Dynasty Grottoes is more influenced by the Yungang Grottoes in the Northern Wei Dynasty,but the Buddhist art from the Hexi Corridor is also permeated in this area.During the Sui and Tang Dynasties,the Buddhist statues of Guanzhong area were more accepted and influenced by the Longmen Grottoes.At the same time,the Grottoes in the east of Longdong area have shown their distinctive regionality,and become the important remains of the Gansu grotto art.The last chapter of the dissertation is the conclusion.