巴蜀地区“天龙八部”造(图)像的遗存与研究现状

On the Research Statues and Image Remains of “Tianlong Babu” in Bashu Area

天龙八部是对佛经所载八种护法神祇的总称。在古代佛寺或摩崖石刻的艺术遗存中可见天龙八部被当做重要题材而精心塑造。但学术界对"天龙八部"艺术及其文化内涵的研究,远不如佛菩萨诸天等题材。巴蜀地区"天龙八部"造(图)像的遗存系统完备,保存较好,蕴含着民俗民间文化、宗教仪轨、地域精神、民族心理、艺术风格等诸多内涵,是深入认识佛教世俗化进程和民族文化交流的绝佳的研究载体。

＂Tianlong Babu＂ is the general name for the eight kinds of guardian deities recorded in the Buddhist scriptures. Art relics in ancient Buddhist temples and cliff carved stone show that ＂Tianlong Babu＂ was regarded as an important subject and was elaborately built. But in academic circles the study of its art and cultural connotation is done much less than the Buddha, the Bodhisattva, the heavens nor other topics. Bashu area has a complete remaining system for good preservation of ＂Tianlong Babu＂ image, which contains the folk culture, religious rituals, regional spirit, national psychology, art styles and many other connotations and is also an excellent research carrier of better understanding of Buddhism secularization and national culture communication.