Mogao Ku Caves

Dunhuang and Mogao Ku

            Mogao Ku is on the five Buddhist architectural sites in the region of Dunhuang, which is northwestern China. Around 1960 to 1970 the remains of this site were excavated and the structure and method of the construction was investigated. In the north-western China region the five most important sites include: the Moago Caves, the Eastern Thousand Buddha Caves, the Wugemiao Caves, the Western Thousand Buddha Caves and the Yulin Caves. Before reading this article, I was unaware of the Mogao Ku caves and most importantly the Dunhuang treasures found in the Dunhuang Library caves caves. Around 1900 a Taoist priest named Wang Yuanlu found the Library caves. The cave consisted of “ ancient cultural relics dating from the third to eleventh century”. “There were scrolls of religious writings, administrative documents, as well as embroidery works and paintings”. Many caves and shrines were found later on that was of great importance. This discovery had a huge impact all around the world and these scrolls came up to be known as the Dunhuang scripts. The scrolls dealt with many sections of social and natural science. After learning the significance of this site many explorers and archaeologists visited the site and ransacked many of its items, which are worth a lot in present time and rests in different corners of the world. Later on, UNESCO recognized the Mogao Ku caves as the World Cultural Heritage site.

            For five generations, the family known as the Cao family held it all together. They helped finance the building of the caves for safeguarding their rule. They supported these important projects and temples at Mogao Ku. “When we talk about widespread dispersal of Buddhism and Buddhist art, we cannot forget to include their name”. It just fascinates me, how at that time people were capable of building such great masterpieces, which till today we are fortunate of and will pass it on to our future generations.

Chang'an

Cosmopolitan Chang’an

Nestorian simply describes the Syriac church, usually people who honored the memory of Nestorious and followed his teachings and concepts. These people entered China through the silk route from the Persian Empire. They came to China as monks and traders during the Tang dynasty and established themselves with their own skill. There is no real information on the Nestorians according to the historians except for some “mythological elements in apologetic or devotional literature” from the medieval period. These are not considered to be erudite and the few unambiguous sources of knowledge would be the eight theological treatises from the Dunhuang manuscripts collection, the stele found in Xi’an and various edicts found in Chinese records. They are considered to be authentic and are strong evidence of their presence. The Nestorians were foreigners trying to blend in with the superior culture in China. Even after facing many racial and cultural differences they tried to establish themselves without any help and was successful in spreading their culture inevitably.

            In the article by Valerie, Hansen, the author describes the environment and people in the city of Chang’an. The city was born during the Tang dynasty and is located at the end of the Silk Road. The city was divided into many sections mainly because of security purpose. The city had curfews for people and the gates opened and closed at certain times. It would be really hard for a person at present to live there as the city lacked freedom for the common people. Many people at that time were fond of literature and poetry and it’s surprising that people at that time were trying to be educated. The city of Chang’an was known to be very beautiful according to Schafer’s article. It also attracted other people to tour the city due to its beautiful landscapes. Even though city had a strict outlook for its people residing in it, it attracted many people to inhabit in its land.