The Cult of the Ten Kings of the Netherworld and the Emergence of the Visual Representation of the Guide Bodhisattva in Dunhuang
From the late Tang to the Song dynasty,the depiction of the Guide Bodhisattva leading the deceased to the Pure Land,in Dunhuang,distinguishes itself from previous images,laying more emphasis on the purpose of"guiding the way".This transformation is closely related to the trend of concretisation of conceptions of hell triggered by the rise of the cult of the Ten Kings during the late Tang period.The choice of Avalokitesvara as the Guide Bodhisattva is influenced by the bodhisattva's duty of saving souls from hell in Esoteric Buddhism,while the cult-related banners combine multiple meanings from Han Chinese funeral rites and Buddhist victory banners,such as traveling,guiding souls,breaking hell,and being reborn in the Pure Land.Together,these elements construct the image meaning of the Guide Bodhisattva protecting the deceased to smoothly pass through the afterlife journey.
Guide BodhisattvaBardoTen Kings of HellAvalokitesvaraBanners
万方数据
维普
