观世音《高王经》并应化像碑——美国哥伦比亚大学藏沙可乐捐观音经像碑

The Stele of the Avalokiteshvara High King Sutra and Avatar Images: Avalokiteshvara Sutra and Statue Stele Endowed by Sackler to the Collection of Columbia University

美国哥伦比亚大学藏沙可乐捐藏一件唐造像碑。刻有观音化现众生形貌。其下所刻《高王观世音经》是早期经本,于此经校勘很有意义。文中还联系东魏高王寺造像等,发掘观音文化与艺术内涵。

Columbia University of the US has in its collection a statue stele made in the Tang Dynasty, endowed by Sackler. The stele depicts the Avalokiteshvara (Kwan-yin) with six rays glowing from her hands, surrounded by images of various deities and fairies. Although the statue bear a resemblance to that of the Ksitigarbha (Ti-Tsang) Bodhisattva delivering all beings within the six realms of existence, they are in fact the images the Avalokiteshvara takes in her various avatars. Under the statue is engraved a copy of the High King Sutra from an earlier period. It is of special interest after careful emendation. The author also connects this piece with the statues in the High King Temple of East-Wei Dynasty, and tries to expound the cultural and artistic meanings of the Avalokiteshvara.