曹氏歸義軍初期敦煌洞窟營建中折射出的價值觀 ─ 以莫高窟第98窟為例=The Value System Reflected by the Construction of the Dunhuang Caves at the Beginning of the Gui-yi-jun Regime Ruled by the Cao Family
Mogao Cave 98 is the most representative large cave of the Gui-yi-jun Army ruled by the Cao family. This cave exhibits strong realistic meaning such as the large number of donors, extensive connotations,vivid and large figures, and detailed titles. By contrast, the images of Buddhas and bodhisattvas are relatively smaller in size, highlighting their humanity rather than divinity. All these phenomena are the true reflection of the donors’ political ideals and life philosophy. Judging from the three levels of " straightforward making a vow,""vividly depicting a vow," and "piously fulfilling a vow," the caves at the beginning of the Gui-yi-jun Army ruled by the Cao family was constructed to fully indicate the donors’ political ambitions, ruling ideas, political strategies, governing approaches, and the strategy of managing a country.
