Yang, LiAo (2023) Astral Cult in the Encompassing Mind: Rethinking the ?Stellar Magic Circle? from Khara-Khoto. ACTA ORIENTALIA ACADEMIAE SCIENTIARUM HUNGARICAE, 76 (1). pp. 47-91. ISSN 0001-6446
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Abstract
A rare painting with unique subject matter among extant Tangut cultural heritage, the so-called astral mandala (more accurately, Grahamatrka-mandala) from Khara-khoto deserves focused academic attention. Now in the collection of Hermitage, this painting broadens the horizons of research from multiple perspec-tives, including the history of astrology, Tangut culture, Esoteric Buddhism, and ritual studies. Introduced into Tangut Buddhism likely via Tibet, the Grahamatrka-mandala contributed to the construction of both a new iconographical system and a new pantheon of astral deities. The painting provides important visual details that gradually reveal a complete series of liturgies based on the Tangut astral cult, from the mandala construction to fire ritual with offerings and visualization. Therefore, it helps to demonstrate astrological knowledge and religious practices prevalent in the Tangut period but previously overlooked by modern researchers. The Tangut people learned with an encompassing mind and became skilled at new teachings, methods, and practices through transcultural communications with India and Tibet. They actively com-bined this learning with the existing Chinese astrological and religious traditions in the Hexi region.
| Item Type: | Article |
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| Additional Information: | Funding Agency and Grant Number: Max-Planck-Institut fur Wissenschaftsgeschichte; Chinese Academy of Social Sciences [XJ2020009] Funding text: This paper was inspired by the Tangut Astrology Workshop held in 2019, supported by Max-Planck-Institut fur Wissenschaftsgeschichte and organized by Dr. Michelle Malina McCoy. I want to express my sincere gratitude to McCoy, Prof. Kirill Solonin, Wei Wen, Bill M. Mak, and Jeffrey Kotyk, who kindly shared their skills and studies, from materials to viewpoints. Thanks to McCoy once again for her great patience to save my poor English writing. This paper also benefited greatly from particularly pertinent comments and invaluable suggestions of anonymous reviewers. Any shortcomings and errors, of course, remain my own responsibility.This study is part of the Basic Researcher Project "Pilgrimage and Visit: Sacred Places and Historical Sites in Tibetan Buddhist art" (grant no. XJ2020009) supported by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | history; Tangut (X?xi?); Khara-khoto; astral cult; Graham?trk?-mandala; homa ritual; |
| Subjects: | D History General and Old World / történelem > D0 History (General) / történelem általában P Language and Literature / nyelvészet és irodalom > PI Oriental languages and literatures / keleti nyelvek és irodalmak |
| SWORD Depositor: | MTMT SWORD |
| Depositing User: | MTMT SWORD |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Apr 2024 08:03 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Apr 2024 08:03 |
| URI: | https://real.mtak.hu/id/eprint/191650 |
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