Tang Dynasty Monju Faith

Bodhisattva belief is an important part in Buddhism system, and is the fundamentally distinctive feature of the Mahayana doctrine as well as the key to mastering the gist of the Mahayana doctrine. Manjusri belief is a kind of typical Bodhisattva-belief and was supported by the state during Tang Dynasty. Consequently, Manjusri belief in Tang Dynasty is of great importance in the Buddhism history. However, it is paid little attention in academic research.Applying historical and religious method, this thesis, based on Buddhism Sutra and a vast amount of primary data, analyses and summarizes Manjusri belief in Tang Dynasty thoroughly.First, the thesis outlines the formation and the development of Manjusri belief before Dang Dynasty. Secondly, in order to understand the reason and process of the prosperity, it expounds Manjusri belief in Tang Dynasty from six aspects: political background, Sutra translation, the relationship with the eight sects, the spread and influence among the people, the oversea circulation. Finally, it shows the historical influence of Manjusri belief in Tang dynasty with the data on Dun Huang Grotto and about the spreading situation in later ages.