This thesis explores that the “Biography of Buddha” experienced the translation in Han dynasty and after being used in poetry and literature by a few eminent monks and literati before Tang dynasty; and then, till the Tang dynasty, how did it become more widely prevalent and as a result turned into an important literature subject. In this article, it respectively discussed the literature works of the biographies of Buddha made by three different social hierarchies, i.e. eminent monks, literati and common people, in Tang dynasty from their respective perspectives. Further, it fostered the biographies of Buddha to open up multiple facets, features and values in the literature in Tang dynasty. In chapter one “Introduction”, it expounded the study background, motive, scope and method. Chapter two outlined the situation of translating into Chinese and spreading of biographies of Buddha before Tang dynasty. The creations using biographies of Buddha as their subject made by Zhi Dun in his early period could be seen. We also could see that Seng You’s Chronicle of Shakyamuni compiled Buddha biographies related scriptures, affected the Dao Xuan’s Chronicle of Shakyamuni Clan in Tang Dynasty. Besides, the stories of Buddha biographies also combined with the religious rituals, such as “Buddha’s birthday” , becoming the themes of literatis’ lyrical poetry works to express their feelings. The content from chapter three to chapter six then focused on Tang dynasty. Discussion centers were respectively shed light on eminent monk Dao Xuan’s Chronicle of Shakyamuni Clan, literatus Wang Bo’s The Essay of Tathagata Shakyamuni’s Enlightenment and The Odes of Shakyamuni Buddha as well as the literature of Dun-huang’s Buddha biographies which were popular among the public. Among these chapters, it specified the spirit of “buddhism” and “missionary” in the works of Dao Xuan; investigated and discerned the possibility of “Whether Wang Bo was the author of the The Odes of Shakyamuni Buddha .”; as well as organized abundant Dun-huang’s Buddha biography literatures and meanwhile expounded its space, time and method as it was actually exhibited. In the conclusion, this study adopted a more broad perspective to deliberate the literature of Buddha biographies in Tang dynasty. To sum up, about the biographies of Buddha in Tang dynasty, its quantity and form were obviously more than those of dynasties before Tang, therefore forming a peak of creation in Chinese history. Among the literati, Wang Bo, biographized for Buddha in two different types of literature genre, was indeed never seen before the Tang dynasty. With respect to the Dun-huang Buddha biography literatures prevailed in secular society in Tang dynasty, among Bian-Wen, lyric praises and practical writings there existed works using Buddha biographs as themes; and accordingly evolving multiple literature genres. Therefore, it is enough to ob
