▍译说讲堂
① 什么是石窟寺？
The Grottoes Temples are rock-cut architecture that were used for religious purposes. Influenced by the Buddhism in India, monks in China in 3rd century started to build grottoes temples in cliffs. In ancient times, Buddhists made caves on remote mountains into shrines. The shrines are filled with carvings, sculptures and other religious art to practice their religion.
Combining buildings, sculptures, wall-paintings, and calligraphy, grotto temples fully embody the Chinese nation’s aesthetic pursuit, values and cultural spirit. The protection work is confronting some problems, such as the vulnerability to natural disasters and sabotage, as well as lacking professional agencies and staff members.
② 敦煌莫高窟的传说
Dunhuang, a blessed stop on the Silk Road running through Gansu Province in northwest China. For centuries, Dunhuang has been a special place for the weary travelers — not only because of its trade center. Fifteen miles away from its bustling markets lie the Mogao Caves, home to one of the most breathtaking collections of Buddhist paintings and statues in the world.
As legend has it, a Buddhist monk named Le Zun was making the long journey to the Western Paradise. Crossing the Gobi Desert, he stopped by Sanwei Mountain, near Dunhuang. It was dusk and he was admiring the sunset when suddenly the mountains began to glow. Raising his head, he saw an image of a glorious golden Buddha floating in the sky. Deeply moved by the radiant scene, Le Zun immediately decided to stay and celebrate it. Le Zun had learned painting and sculpture, and so he put forth these skills to recreate his vision.
③ 敦煌早期壁画的故事
Early Dunhuang paintings chiefly depict incidents in the life of the Buddha. In style they show a blend of Central Asian and Chinese techniques that reflects the mixed population of northern China at this time. The predominant theme was still the Buddhist stories highlighting the working of karma.
④ 敦煌早期壁画的风格
受西域和印度绘画风格的影响，敦煌壁画的画面中常常用粗壮的朱红色轮廓线来勾勒，因为年久色彩颜料的变化，朱红色就变成了黑色。再在人物主要肌肉的高光处用白色晕染，最后再以浅朱红色过渡人物的全身。这种绘画技巧被称作凹凸晕染法（The western three dimensional colouring technique），有学者将这种风格称为“黑眼圈现象”。
⑤ 敦煌中期的经变画
到了隋唐时期，敦煌壁画经历了重要的变化。壁画中的佛祖们穿上了中原人的褒衣博带，画风也颇有吴道子“吴带当风”的风格。褒衣博带就是宽大的儒生和士大夫所穿的装束，着宽袍，系阔带。这种服饰审美从魏晋时代兴起，代表了中原文人所追求的那种自由洒脱和超凡脱俗的精神境界。敦煌壁画中身着东方服饰的佛像被学界称为“褒衣博带式袈裟”（Full Robe and Wide Belt Kasaya）
