The Research About Exotic Gems In Buddhist Classics Of Tang Dynasty Seen From Taisho Tripitaka

From the historical data of Taisho Tripitaka,the conditions of exotic gems in Buddhist classics of the Tang Dynasty includes: types of exotic gems,sources of exotic gems and the use of exotic gems.There were many types of exotic gems in Buddhist classics of the Tang Dynasty.From the big categories,these gems included two kinds of exotic gems in the seven treasures of Buddhism and exotic gems beyond the seven treasures of Buddhism.Due to the different contents of the seven treasures contained in the Buddhist scriptures,and synthesize that records of various family,We believe that exotic gems in the seven treasures of the Tang Dynasty were glaze,glass,agate,coral,giant amber,pearl,crystal and Mani;External gems besides the seven treasures included the Lapis lazul,crystal beads,hawksbill,rhino horn,ivory,Lazurite and diamond.The sources of exotic gems in Buddhist classics of Tang Dynasty were relatively wide,mainly from ancient Indian countries and Shiziguo of the South Asia,Persia and Arab Empire of the West Asia Persian,Jibin and Julan of the Central Asia,Fulin around the Mediterranean Sea,and Cochin,Sanfoqi,Keling,Tuoluan of the Southeast Asia.The uses of exotic gems in Buddhist classics of the Tang Dynasty were extremely extensive,mainly used in Buddhist rituals,which are made of exotic gems,and Buddhist ritual implements made of exotic gems,Buddhist Pure Land ornaments made of exotic gems,Buddhist Pure Lands under the guise of exotic gems,Buddhist and buddha statues made from exotic gems,and supplies of exotic gems.Among them,there were six types of Buddhist instruments that were produced and strictly decorated with exotic gems,included the majestic temple of Buddha,the Buddha,the bodhisattva's musical instruments,the deaf life tools,the instruments used to hold the objects,the instruments used by the Brahmas,and the esoteric instruments;The bodhisattvas andbodhisattva ornaments made of exotic gems included seven kinds of ornaments:crowns,crowns,deafness,ringworms,treasure belts,hairpins,and bodhisattvas;The Pure Land under the strict gems of exotic gems had six species: the Western Paradise,the Amitabha Pure Land,the Oriental Net Glass Pharmacist Buddha Pure Land,the Maitreya Bodhisattva Pure Land Pure Land,the Huashan Tibetan Solemn World Sea,the Run Kingdom and other Buddhist Pure Lands;The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas made or embellished with exotic gems were like the the seven treasures of Buddhism Buddha,the Buddha Buddha,the glass Buddha image,the agate Buddha statue,the ivory Buddha statue and the public treasure statues;the seven treasures of Buddhism were the most important support and the seven treasures of Buddhism non-supply products.The characteristics of exotic gems in Buddhist classics of the Tang Dynasty mainly included:many types of exotic gems,the sources of exotic gems in the west were mainly in the western region,wide range of exotic gems,exotic gems had a high status in Buddhism and exotic gems gradually infiltrated into Buddhist festivals and conferences.Among them,the lofty characteristics of exotic gems in Buddhism included that foreign gems had close ties with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas,exotic gems acted as substitutes for relics,and exotic gems played an important role in tantric beliefs.Exotic gems gradually penetrated into Buddhist festivals and dharma,including exotic gems played an important role in the Buddha's birthday and bath,exotic gems played an important role in the obon festival,and exotic gems played an important role in the masquerade conference.The reasons for the prosperity of exotic gems in the Buddhist classics of the Tang dynasty were as follows:First,the rulers believed in Buddhism and applied precious stones frequently.Most of the Tang Dynasty emperors believed in Buddhism except Wuzong.Emperor Taizong Tang,Wu Zetian,Emperor Suzong,Emperor YIzong,and Emperor Xizong all gave large amounts of gold,silver and jewelry to Buddhism,and greatly enriched the temple exotic gems species.The second,temples were economically prosperous and had financial resources to consume foreigngems."Fortune in the world,Buddhism accounted for seven or eight" was the best description of the temple economy in the Tang Dynasty,and exotic gems occupied a certain proportion in the permanent property of Buddhism and the commercial management of monasteries.Third,the group of Buddhist followers was huge,more exotic gems come through their grants.The Buddhist community in the Tang Dynasty was huge,ranging from the royal nobles,bureaucrats,literati down to the common people,there were large numbers of believers in Buddhism,scholars,and monks from the ranks of the monks.Especially the upper class had the ability to give away a large number of exotic gems.Fourth,the Tang Dynasty temple rituals are complex and they placed importance on the application of exotic gems.Exotic gems played an important role in Buddhist rituals,festivals,rituals and esoteric rituals,and were important items for Buddhist offerings and solemnity.