Abstract: Buddhism which was founded in northern India transmitted into China along the two main route of the ancient trade route, the Silk Road. One route is the northern edge of the Taklamakan desert, which is pass through Kashgar, Kuche, Kharashahr, Gaochang. The other route is the southren edge of the Taklamakan desert, which is pass through Kashgar, Khotan, Minfeng, Loulan. Regardless of which route it take, the Buddhism can`t spread into Central China without passing Dunhuang. For that reason, Dunhuang Buddhism much more having elements of the Western Regions` style than anywhere else in China. Buddhism which is spreaded into Central China was readily compatible with local Chinese beliefs and during the reign of the Han dynasty in China, Buddhism and Taoism enjoyed a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship. Chinese Buddhism enjoyed a golden age during the Dang Dynasty, and the Chinese Buddhism influenced the Western Regions` Buddhism in reverse. That is why Dunhuang Buddhism had many elements of Chinese Buddhism. As a result, Dunhuang Buddhism had dual aspect which is combined the Western Regions` style and Central Chinese style. This paper discusses the dual aspect of Dunhuang Buddhism viewed in Dunhuang Bianwen and Mogao grottoes.
Publication Year: 2013
Publication Date: 2013-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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