英文摘要 |
This article aims to explain the possible meanings of the images of Mānava jātaka and Aśoka and Rāhula stories at the Yungang Cave-temples, taking into account their positions in the caves, their relationship with the main statues and the descriptions in sutras. The earliest surviving Mānava jātaka image at Yungang is in Cave 10; the earliest Aśoka tale in Cave 18; the earliest Rāhula tale in Cave 19. The latter two caves both had close connections with Taoyao. Cave 18, besides seeking to edify the faithful, expressed rulers' determination to protect the Dharma Law, while Cave 19 illustrated Chinese social morality by showing that it is necessary to have one's parents' consent before becoming a monk, in accordance with the rulers' vigilance against Buddhist organizations. With Taoyao deprived of his leading position in Buddhist society in 483 AD, the Yungang Caves were transformed from temples of the state and imperial fa mily to those of ordinary monks and laymen. This change could be explained as a demonstration of Shakyamuni's teaching and could be easily understood by commoners. The Mānava jātaka appeared in the second stage of Yungang's construction. It preached that resolving to worship and make offerings to the Buddha will lead to enlightenment. The Aśoka image publicized the idea that distributing alms will help obtain blessings and virtues. Both of these stories encouraged acts of charity, and this is the reason that they could be placed together. Compared with the previous two subjects, the Rāhula story alone has fewer representations at Yungang. This is probably because the Rāhula story publicized leaving one's family and becoming a monk, and contradicted the state policy of controlling and administering monks and nuns. |