元代摩诃葛剌崇奉溯源

A Historical Study of the Worship of Mahākāla in the Yuan Dynasty

摩诃葛剌为藏传佛教最重要的护法神之一。元廷信奉萨迦派,在萨迦派僧侣的努力下,作为该派护法神的摩诃葛剌得到崇奉,地位愈加重要。摩诃葛剌不仅是佛教护法,更是元王朝的护国神。承接唐宋时期对毗沙门天王、真武神的崇奉传统,更由于对藏传佛教的虔信,元廷最终选择摩诃葛剌为护国战神。

Mahakala is not only one of the most important guardian gods of Tibetan Buddhism, but also the most important protector of the Sakya. During the Yuan dynasty, the Mongolian rulers had firm faith in the Sakya. Owing to the worship by the ruling clique, the status of Mahakala, which was their protector, became more and more important. Mahakala was not only regarded as a dharma protector but a state protector by the Imperial Court of the Yuan dynasty. The reason why the ruling clique finally chose Mahakala as their national protection god was related to their traditional worship of Salmone God and Zhen-Wu God during the Tang and the Song dynasty, and to their belief in Tibetan Buddhism.