A Study On The Three Realms Of Dunhuang In The Late Tang Dynasty

Dunhuang Three Circles Monastery is a well-known Buddhist Monastery,whosename come from the doctrine called Kama Loka, Rupa Loka and Arupa Loka.ThreeCircles Monastery emerged at the latest the middle time of the Tubo ruled dunhuang(about848)，and continued to the Earlier Song Dynasty TianXi three years (1019).Thismonastery is likely to be located in dunhuang mogao grottoes, which is near the16th and17th Dambulla Cave Monastery (Foku) namely.This location provided agood geographical environment for various kinds of activities of the monks. Thereexists some monastery buildings, such as the monastery gate, Buddhist hall, Guanyinhall, which is recorded in Dunhuang documents and reflects each function of theThree Circles Monastery.Monks of Three Circles Monastery had participated in many kinds of religiousand social activities in the dunhuang area. The Buddhist Daozhen who came from thenobility of Dunhuang once took the position of Sengzheng and Dusenglu,and heonce accomplished the Governor of Return-to-Allegiance Army to make a inspectiontour to the Mogao Grottoes, preside over the Mogao Grottoes lighten lamp activitiesin December8th951. Ordinary monks also participated in the activities oftranscription and amendment to Buddhist text, they also have importantcontribution to chant sutras and other activities which was hold by DunhuangBuddhist group in Buddhist festival or certain days. Dunhuang upper class ofteninvited Monks of This Monastery to hold dharma assembly to commemorate deceaserelatives. This kind of activities reflected the special relations between the ThreeCircles Monastery and the secular society, and brought many kinds of charityincomes which made up the important property of this Monastery.The Temple education of this Monastery based on Confucian classics,the sameas other Monasteries, and the students mainly came from Dunhuang local nobilitychildren such as zhang, liang and cao. the Governor of Return-to-Allegiance Armynamed Cao Yuanshen once Studied at the Monastery. The function of education hasimportant contribution to the development of Three Circles Monastery. Monks of this Monastery also obtain personal means by joining in some economic activities,such as engaged in trade and orchard.There existed more than30documents of Buddhist certificates about ThreeCircles Monastery, which was mainly constituted by the Certificates of Eight precepts,showing the popular of the Eight precepts among the Dunhuang society. At the sametime, the main part of this Buddhist certificates was documents for Laities.Certificates ceremony were mainly held in six feast day of Three long Ramadan. Thereare four kinds of main body articles, three kinds of Buddhist seals and several kindsof ordained teachers and witness, all of which Reflects a lot of important informationof the certificates ceremony in Three Circles Monastery.The monasterys widespread social participation actively reflected the socialfunction of Dunhuang Buddhism,which is benefit to the doctrine publicity of andserve the society. In some cases,The Buddhism Monastery became the center ofDunhuang society,and profoundly influenced the daily life of dunhuang Buddhismand secular people.