试论新疆地区的密教信仰——以千手观音图像为例

Remarks on the Mi Religion Belief from the Image of Thousand-Hand Kwan-yin in Xinjiang

通过勒考克、斯坦因等欧州探险家于20世纪初在新疆地区发现的佛教文物,以及后来由中国学者、中日考古队发现的石窟和壁画残片等,基本上可以确定新疆地区在公元7世纪前后已传入密教,在8世纪以后有密教图像存留,说明新疆地区有密教的持明乘、金刚乘和无上瑜伽密的信仰与传播。文章以千手观音图像为例,分析了新疆地区对于观音秘密身形的信仰。

It is generally believed that Mi religion was first introduced into Xinjiang at around 7 A.D. according to the Buddhist relics found by some European explorers at the beginning of 20th century in Xinjlang. It was later proved by some remaining mural paint- ings found in some caves in Xinjiang by Chinese and Japanese experts. The article presents the existence of Mi Religion in Xinjiang according to the image of thousand-hand Kwan-yin in Xinjiang.