On November 17, 2025, the Center for Buddhist Studies at Fo Guang University hosted Associate Professor Chien Pei-chi (Providence University) for the lecture "Following Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva to Taiwan." Prof. Chien traced the evolution of Kṣitigarbha (地藏) worship across a millennium, exploring how his image and function transformed from ancient China to modern Taiwan.
Prof. Chien began with the Tang Dynasty. Early statues at the Longmen Grottoes depicted Kṣitigarbha in a regal "Bodhisattva form" wearing a crown. However, as the faith moved to Dunhuang, the iconography shifted to a "Sramana form (沙門形)"—characterized by a shaved head and monastic robes. Dunhuang murals from this period solidified Kṣitigarbha’s role as the primary savior of the underworld.
A pivotal moment was the emergence of the Dunhuang text The Record of Monk Daoming's Return to Life. The story claims Kṣitigarbha’s "true form" involves wearing a hood, leading to the rise of the "Hooded Ksitigarbha" in the Five Dynasties. Later, the cult of Prince Kim Gyo-gak at Mt. Jiuhua integrated local legends, establishing the standard trinity seen in the Ming and Qing dynasties: Kṣitigarbha in the center, flanked by Elder Min (閔公) and Monk Daoming (道明).
In the final section, Prof. Chien analyzed Kṣitigarbha’s localization in Taiwan. Taiwanese statues typically inherit the Ming-style Five-Buddha Crown and are often accompanied by the mount Diting.
Prof. Chien began with the Tang Dynasty. Early statues at the Longmen Grottoes depicted Kṣitigarbha in a regal "Bodhisattva form" wearing a crown. However, as the faith moved to Dunhuang, the iconography shifted to a "Sramana form (沙門形)"—characterized by a shaved head and monastic robes. Dunhuang murals from this period solidified Kṣitigarbha’s role as the primary savior of the underworld.
A pivotal moment was the emergence of the Dunhuang text The Record of Monk Daoming's Return to Life. The story claims Kṣitigarbha’s "true form" involves wearing a hood, leading to the rise of the "Hooded Ksitigarbha" in the Five Dynasties. Later, the cult of Prince Kim Gyo-gak at Mt. Jiuhua integrated local legends, establishing the standard trinity seen in the Ming and Qing dynasties: Kṣitigarbha in the center, flanked by Elder Min (閔公) and Monk Daoming (道明).
In the final section, Prof. Chien analyzed Kṣitigarbha’s localization in Taiwan. Taiwanese statues typically inherit the Ming-style Five-Buddha Crown and are often accompanied by the mount Diting.
However, the function of the deity shifted significantly. Due to Taiwan's history of clan feuds, armed conflicts, and social unrest, Kṣitigarbha became intensely focused on "Underworld Salvation" (幽冥救度). Using Banqiao Cihui Temple (慈惠宮) as a case study, Prof. Chien illustrated how the faith serves to soothe historical trauma and the spirits of the violent dead. She concluded that while Taiwan inherits Chinese traditions, it has reinvented the deity to meet specific local spiritual needs.
