靈隱寺吳越國經幢短柱造像與佛頂尊勝陀羅尼經變相=The Images on Stone Pillars with Buddhist Texts from the Wuyue Kingdom in the Lingyin Temple, and the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Sutra Illustrations
靈隱寺=Lingyin Temple; 吳越國時期=Wuyue Kingdom period; 經幢造像=images on stone pillars with Buddhist texts; 佛頂尊勝陀羅尼經及其序文=Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Sutra illustration
This paper discusses the images on the stone pillars with Buddhist texts inscribed from the Wuyue Kingdom in the Lingyin Temple. A comparison between relevant Buddhist images and the inscribed sutra confirms that the central images were created based on the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Sutra translated by Buddhapali. This sequence of images can be considered to be the most simplified version of the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Sutra to be depicted in illustrated form, as well as the latest appearance of this particular text and theme. The nature and date of the images demonstrates that these inscribed pillars are an important instance of the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Sutra Illustrations and highly significant for historical research on the artistic depiction of sutras during the Song dynasty.
