榆林悬空寺万佛洞明代壁画观音十八罗汉慈航普度考察

On The Ming-Dynasty Muraled Eighteen Guanyin Bodhisattva Ferrying All Beings across by Barge of Compassion in Wanfodong Cave,Xuankongsi Grottoes Temple,Yulin

榆林悬空寺万佛洞明代壁画,系陕北石窟壁画的代表性作品。其中西柱内侧面观音十八罗汉慈航普度,将救济、传法、护法、净土等多种宗教意涵的图像,组合成主次分明、逻辑严谨的统一画面,反映了观音乘慈航入生死海、运般若之智普度此岸现世众生及至彼岸弥勒佛净土世界的思想。人物组合及造型体现出一定的创新性,布袋和尚与寒山、拾得组合尤其具有时代精神,手摇转经筒的罗汉为探究藏传佛教在内地的发展提供了重要线索。

The Ming-dynasty frescoes in the Wanfodong Cave of Xuankongsi Grottoes Temple are regarded as the representative works in the caves across the region of Northern Shaanxi.The muraled-illustration in the inner side of the west-column is broadly divided into two parts---the upper is relatively regular-arranged with thousands of Buddhas,the lower is the main content with 18 Guanyin Bodhisattva ferrying all beings across in the three-level composition thematically in remedy,preach,protection of Buddha-truth and the pure-land,which embodies Maitreya Buddha's Pure-Land thought that Avalokitesvara conducts merciful deliverance of all living beings from torment and benevolence,that is,beyond the shore of the sarmsara life of reincarnation to the yonder shore of salvation,the realm of nirvana.This shop of frescos is of somewhat innovation in assemblage and model of characters,Monk Budai with his two attendants Hanshan and Shide standing on either side of him standing for the spirit of the times,and the image of Arhats waving prayer wheels meaning much for probes into Tibetan Buddhism developing into the mainland of China.