From Chang’an to Dunhuang: Bukong and the Iconographic Propagation of Wutai Mountain Manjusri Faith

Mount Wutai murals in Dunhuang first appeared in the Tubo period of the Middle Tang Dynasty, and their spread in Dunhuang reflects the faith of Mount Wutai here. Mount Wutai faith appeared in the Northern Dynasties and was gradually combined with Manjusri faith, which was vigorously promoted by Bukong in the Reign of Emperor Daizong in the Tang Dynasty. Bukong infused Esoteric state-protection doctrines into the Mount Wutai Manjusri faith, which took shape during Bukong’s residence in Hexi, was practiced in the reign of Emperor Daizong, and was eventually adopted by the Tubo. The emergence of Mount Wutai murals is a significant manifestation of the process of the spread of this faith. It can thus be seen that Bukong played a crucial role in the process of the iconographic propagation of the Mount Wutai Manjusri faith.