敦煌早期石窟中“牢度跋提”图像研究

Archaeological Research on the Mural Image of Lao Dubati in the Early Caves of Mogao Grottoes

敦煌莫高窟十六国晚期至隋代早期的个别洞窟中,天宫楼阁位置出现了一种仅以头像表现的图像,与多以半身形象出现的天宫伎乐形象不同,而这种图像仅在莫高窟有发现。通过对早期洞窟的实地观察,结合佛教经文、文献资料和前人的研究成果,进一步确定该图像为“牢度跋提”。通过形象特征、组合类型及表现形式分析,“牢度跋提”是作为佛教护法神出现,同时也是莫高窟早期弥勒信仰的一种重要象征。

Among the early caves of Mogao grottoes,we’ve discovered a special type of image which only exist in Dunhuang,and the common character of this kind of image is that they just show the head of the figures.By investigating the details of the caves,and searching relative datum from all kinds of documents,the image is firmly believed to be“Lao Dubati”-An Indian-type image.This research aims to illustrate that Lao Dubati is a kind of guardian of the Buddhist culture,which also acts as a symbol of the early be.lief of Maitreya.