Devotion to Tārā in Tangut Buddhism—based on an art exploration of Tārā murals in Dunhuang caves
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Author
Zhang, Xiaoyang See all items with this value
Date
2021
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies
Committee
Long, Darui
Zhiru, Shi
Shakya, Miroj
Abstract
This dissertation aims to reveal Tangut Buddhists’ devotion to Tārā through a detailed art analysis of Tārā murals in Tangut caves from the Dunhuang area, together with religious and historical discussions on Tangut Buddhism and the Tangut caves in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang was a sacred site for Tangut Buddhists and Tangut-occupied Dunhuang for nearly one and a half centuries. Over eighty caves were created and reconstructed by Tanguts in the Dunhuang area. The three Tārā murals are painted in cave no. 5 and cave no. 2 at Eastern Thousand Buddha Caves and cave no. 4 at Yulin Caves. The dissertation primarily discusses the significance of the role of Tārā in Tangut Buddhism based on the contents of the three Tārā murals, with supplemental information from the portraits of their patrons and history. Through detailed art analysis of the three Tārā murals, this dissertation also summarizes attributes of Tangut Tantric art to add depth to the understanding of Tangut Tantric art and its history.
Dunhuang was a sacred site for Tangut Buddhists and Tangut-occupied Dunhuang for nearly one and a half centuries. Over eighty caves were created and reconstructed by Tanguts in the Dunhuang area. The three Tārā murals are painted in cave no. 5 and cave no. 2 at Eastern Thousand Buddha Caves and cave no. 4 at Yulin Caves. The dissertation primarily discusses the significance of the role of Tārā in Tangut Buddhism based on the contents of the three Tārā murals, with supplemental information from the portraits of their patrons and history. Through detailed art analysis of the three Tārā murals, this dissertation also summarizes attributes of Tangut Tantric art to add depth to the understanding of Tangut Tantric art and its history.
Keywords
Art history See all items with this value
Religion See all items with this value
Asian studies See all items with this value
Buddhism See all items with this value
Buddhist Art See all items with this value
Tangut Buddhism See all items with this value
Tantric Buddhist Art See all items with this value
Degree Granter
University of the West
ISBN
9798516098253