丝绸之路中国段佛教石窟差异性 及其与丹霞地貌的关系

作为佛教东传的主线,沿丝绸之路中国段留存了大量的佛教石窟,其分布与该区域丹霞地貌的分布大致重叠。由于各地区地质地貌条件以及岩性的差异,石窟在分布、形制以及艺术表现手法上也存在差异。本文以沿丝绸之路主线佛教东传的路线为基础,分别阐述丝绸之路天山北线、河西走廊、陇东、河湟谷地以及陕西彬县丹霞地貌区的佛教石窟以及敦煌石窟的特点,分析各地石窟形成自身特点的自然原因。文章分析了丝绸之路沿线石窟分布、形制以及艺术特色与丹霞地貌的内在联系,认为除宗教政治因素外,丹霞地貌是丝绸之路石窟分布的决定因素之一,也是石窟形制和艺术表现手法的重要影响因素。文章比较了其他类型地貌与丹霞地貌在开凿石窟方面的优劣,认为丹霞地貌拥有最适合开凿石窟的地貌形态与岩性。综上,文章认为丹霞地貌的存在是丝绸之路沿线出现大量佛教石窟的最重要的自然条件。

The relation between Danxia landforms and Buddhism grottoes along the Silk Road

Danxia landform is defined as a kind of landform made up of non-marine red clastic rock and characterized by red walls and red cliffs.Flat top,steep face and gentle piedmont are the most typical geometrical features of it.Northwest is one of the regions in China where Danxia landforms concentrate.The Danxia landforms are mostly distributed in the narrow strip area;around Longshan Mountains,the valleys of the Yellow River and the Huangshui River,Hexi Corridor and the south of the Tianshan Mountains.The main line of the Silk Road is just along these areas.Because of this,the Buddhism was introduced to China and spread along the Silk Road,so there are numerous Buddhism grottoes.In the west of China,almost all of the Buddhism grottoes are located on the Danxia landforms,so it is certain that there exists a relation between the Buddhism was grotto and Danxia landform along the Silk Road.This paper firstly describes the routes,along which Buddhism was introduced into China.According to the difference of the landscape and lithology in northwest,the paper divides the study area into six sub-areas.They are the areas along the north route of the Silk Rout,Hexi Corridor,the valleys of Yellow River and Huangshui River,the areas to the east of Longshan Mountain,Binxian of Shaanxi Province,and Dunhuang area.They are all the areas where Danxia landforms concentrate,excluding Dunhuang area.The paper discusses the Buddhism grottoes located in these areas respectively,comparing the difference of the grottoes' distribution,structure and style.In addition,it discusses the environment of each area.Based on the discussion it analyses the relation between the grottoes and Danxia landforms.It is held that the characteristic of the Danxia landforms is the basis for the grotto excavating.The red color is in favor of the Buddhism grottoes and the lithology make people cave easily.Therefore,the Danxia landforms are the best choice to cave grottoes and almost all the grottoes along the Silk Rout are located in these areas.If there is no Danxia landform there would be no grotto or no stone statue,for example the southern part of the Silk Road and Dunhuang area.Because of difference of rock character and the environment,each grotto has its own structure and style.Of course,the style of the grottoes and the statues on Danxia landforms differ from those on non-Danxia landforms,even they are all on the Danxia landforms they are different,for some kinds of rock are fit to cave subtly,some are fit to shape statues and others only fit to paint fresco.Therefore,the paper thinks the difference of the rock character is the most important factor controlling the grottoes' structure and style.Finally the paper compares the Buddhism grottoes of the Danxia landforms and of other landforms,such as karst landforms.Although the karst landforms are widely used for cutting grottoes and carving status,comparing to Danxia landform it has disadvantage.Based on the above,the paper concludes that the Danxia landforms are the best choice for Buddhism grottoes and the most important natural conditions that control the grottoes distributing structure and style.The grottoes in the Danxia landforms along the Silk Road integrate with nature,history and art perfectly.