The four great Bodhisattvas are characteristic figures in Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhism. In the illustrated picture book “The Four Great Bodhisattvas”（si da pu sa tu wen shu）edited and published by Buddha’s Light Publications, modern Chinese language is used to adapt the classical tales. The editors combine similar stories together, select the parts suitable to modern society and dramatize their narration. All the figures and scenes are illustrated using hand-painted watercolor to create a modern version of the four great Bodhisattvas. Readers will have a complete view of Bodhisattvas’ practices through the use of modern language and vivid illustration design. Chapter two of this thesis presents a historical thread of how the religion of the four Bodhisattvas spread from India to China including the Bodhisattvas’ origination and descriptions of their practices in different sutras. Chapter Three focuses on iconographical studies using the method of creative hermeneutics, Erwin Panofsky’s iconological method of analysis, Ferdinand de Saussure and Roland Barthes' Semiotics theory to interpret the overall design of the book, its application of colors, page composition and character design. The chapter four focuses on analyzing the structures of stories in comparison with the similar tales relevant to the adapted final version based on dramaturgical and narrative theory. Then a conclusion is drawn that the Bodhisattvas’ practices of altruism can only be realized by skillful means through the four means of conversion with a mind of equality based on Prajñā wisdom. This thesis recognizes the value of adapting Buddhist artwork to cater to the aesthetic taste of the audiences. A successful artistic and literary adaption will inspire the readers to deepen their understanding of Bodhisattvas’ way of practices and apply these concepts into their way of living to realize the perfecting of self and the benefitting of others.
