浅谈巴中石窟观音菩萨造像

巴中石窟中的观音菩萨造像窟(龛)多达100余处。巴中石窟可分为四期:即隋末初唐期、盛唐期、中晚唐期和宋及以后时期。初唐、盛唐时期观音菩萨造像多为一佛二弟子二菩萨二力士二天王组合及"西方三圣"和"西方净土变",药师、观音、地藏等组合形式,观音菩萨单身像龛还很少。但是到了中唐以后,观音菩萨的单身像以及以观音菩萨做主尊的造像就多了起来。唐代是巴中石窟观音菩萨造像内容最丰富、数量最多的时代,特别是中晚唐时期,观音菩萨造像达到了鼎盛。

A Study of Avalokiteshvara Statues at Bazhong Grotto

There have been more than 100 Avalokiteshvara statue caves in Bazhong Grottoes.The grottoes can be divided into four stages,such as the end of Sui and the beginning of Tang dynasties,the prosperous period of Tang dynasty,the middle and late Tang dynasty,Song and after Song dynasty.The Bodhisattva statues of the former two stages are mostly composed of Buddha,Disciples,and Bodhisattvas etc.The single statue cave of Avalokiteshvara is hardly seen.But after the middle Tang dynasty,more single statue caves of Avalokiteshvara or those looking the Avalokiteshvara as major Bhodisattva appeared.So,Tang dynasty is a thriving period of Avalokiteshvara statue of Bazhong Grottoes,especially during the middle and late Tang dynasty,the Avalokiteshvara statue reached the height of its development.