| In Buddhist temples and ancient caves, people often can see a set of three Buddhist images depicting a main Buddha figure in the center flanked by two attendant Bodhisattvas, one on each side. One Buddha with two Bodhisattvas, which as a group, is usually referred to as the"Three Saints"in Chinese or the"Buddhist Trinity"in English. Among the numerous combinations are the Three Saints of Western Pure Land, the Three Saints of the Huayan World, and that of the Eastern World. In China, not only is it a familiar subject of Buddhist sculptures and paintings, but also of Buddhist worship and learning. Many Buddhist activities were centered on the"Three Saints". Although it is one of the most popular and influential belief systems in ancient China, there seems to be some issues that have not been thoroughly explored; such as the reason that Buddhists set a group of three to worship, the way in which Buddhist practice the ceremony around the"Three Saints", and the history of this tradition. This study sought to clarify what this belief system consists of and the evolution of the belief pattern in China during more than 1800 years. The purpose of the study is to touch the ultimate goal of practitioners following the belief pattern of the"Three Saints".In the beginning, the study divided all combinations based on their features into three categories, definitive-type Three Saints, non-definitive-type and transitional-type, so that all combinations could be included in this study. Additionally, the study completely explores two essential aspects of the pattern, the theoretical basis and actual practice. Seven divisions of the Mahayana sutras delineate the framework of theory about Three Saints. Later on, more complicated ideas were developed by Buddhist patriarchs and masters. They took three routes to check the dharma connections between the Buddha and the two bodhisattvas of the same set. Thereby, their annotation formed the theoretical basis of the pattern. Also, the study analyzes meditation and religious rites of worship and repentance, which are intimately integrated into the daily life of the practitioners. Thus, from conception to actual practice, from the abstract to the concrete, a complete (well-rounded) system of belief was established. Its development can be divided into 6 phases.By this deep exploration, the thesis concludes that, in essence, the pattern of"Three Saints"have served as a perfect and powerful system of cultivating virtues for Buddhist during 1800 years. The role model is a set of"Three Saints", the practicing method is to cultivate pairs of virtues at the same time without falling to one side or the other. These pairs of virtues,samadhi and wisdom, or blessings and wisdom, for example ,are likened to the two hands and represented by two bodhisattvas. Practitioners are finally demanded to surpass all kinds of moral dualism and from the relative state of mind in order to reach the ultimate true reality, the Middle Way Reality (non-duality). Finally, the study also points out two main strong components of this belief system when being applied to deliver the Dharma: 1) Being a quintessential embodiment of relevant sutras; 2) Diverse options of cultivation and innumerable methods for practitioners of all social classes to attain enlightenment. Buddhist cultivators could select their favorite group of Three Saints as a pattern for practice. Such a system of cultivation is simple yet sound. Therefore, even during times of war, when scholastic development of Buddhist thought was on the decline, the essential features of the Three Saints belief systems remained unchanged for more than 1800 years up to the present time.This study projects a new vision on this long-term traditional Buddhist custom, and uses a systematical method to investigate the totality of the belief system. Such profound insight into this cultural heritage shows the study's concern for the spiritual civilization and happiness of human beings.
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