Conclusion

Source: SGI-USA

The Mogao Caves are a reflection of the interactions between China and several systems of beliefs. As seen in the establishment of Caves 138 and 249, the Mogao Caves served several ritualistic purposes, and were curated with an intended use and ritual in mind. Earlier caves were built with the practice of zen Buddhism in mind, as seen in the meditation-centered Cave 285. With the rise of Buddhism in China, patrons could pray to the Buddhist deity Guanyin, derived from the Indian Avalokitesvara, for fertility and protection in Cave 138. Caves dedicated to Taoism, which existed alongside those with strongly Buddhist influence, mark a theme in China, in which Taoism is used in tandem with Buddhist practices to further ease acceptance towards the spread of Buddhism. This ancient system of temples, kept alive through conservation and contemporary exhibitions, conveys a critical point of history in China in its evolution of beliefs.