This paper represents an attempt to reconstruct Buddhist practice in rural north China during the fifth and sixth centuries. Most of the data for this project come from dedicatory Buddhist statuary inscriptions (tsao-hsiang chi 造像記 or tsao-hsiang pei-chi 碑記), texts carved on statuary stelae (tsao-hsiang pei 造像碑) displaying images of Buddhist deities and/or stories recounted in Buddhist sitras. Such inscriptions constitute an extremely valuable source for the study of rural Buddhism during the Northern Dynasties, because they provide a much more detailed and vivid record than the few scattered passages on Buddhist practice which may be found in other written sources. Fourtunately, thousands of statuary inscriptions still exist, and can be found in epigraphical collections, on rubbings, or on those stelae that have survived. An exciting development of recent years has been the excavation of many Buddhist stelae carved during the fifth and sixth centuries, and chances are good that more will.
目次
Introductory Remarks 19 Reasons for the popularity of buddhist statuary stelae 24 The spread of buddhism inrural areas of medieval north china 27 Rural buddhist organizations and their social functions 34 Rituals performed at buddhist atatuary stelae 37 Conclusion 45
