Dunhuang Cave Mural. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Speaker: Irene Lok (University of Cambridge)
Date: Monday 3 February 2025 (Week 3 HT)
Basement Teaching Room 1 at 5:00pm
Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Pusey Lane, Oxford, OX1 2LE
All Welcome
Tea and snacks at 4:30–4:50pm (Common Room in the basement)
All enquiries: pyi.kyaw@ames.ox.ac.uk
Glorisun Lecture Series in Buddhist Studies 2024-2025
Kindly supported by Glorisun Global Network for Buddhist Studies
Abstract:
The Mural of Guanyin from Tang Dynasty Dunhuang is an extraordinary embodiment of spiritual devotion and artistic mastery, seamlessly merging Buddhist iconography with the refined aesthetics of one of China’s most cosmopolitan eras. Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, is rendered with sublime grace and ethereal presence, reflecting both the transcendence of the divine and the depth of human empathy. The mural’s intricate lines, delicate shading, and luminous palette convey a sense of tranquillity and reverence, hallmarks of Tang-era artistry at its zenith.
Dunhuang, a vital oasis on the Silk Road, was not merely a crossroads for trade but a flourishing centre of cultural and religious exchange. This mural exemplifies the artistic synthesis that arose from these interactions, blending Chinese, Central Asian, and Indian influences into a harmonious whole. Every detail, from the flowing robes to the serene expression of Guanyin, evokes a spiritual serenity, offering both a visual feast and a meditative experience.
More than a work of Buddhist art, the mural serves as a profound reflection of Tang Dynasty values: the elevation of compassion, the pursuit of enlightenment, and the integration of diverse cultural traditions into a unified, transcendent vision. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of art to inspire, elevate, and connect across time and place.
Speaker:
Irene Lok is Bye Fellow at University of Cambridge. She is an interdisciplinary scholar of Buddhist Studies, whose research focuses on Mahāyāna Buddhism, drawing on primary sources in Chinese, archaeological artifacts and manuscripts from Dunhuang and Turfan. She received her B.A. (Hons) at University of Kent, and gained M. Phil and Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies at The University of Hong Kong with scholarships. Her research interests include murals in Dunhuang Grottoes, Guanyin belief in China, manuscripts unearthed from Dunhuang and Turfan. Dr. Lok is Art Advisor and Honorary Research Associate at the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole of The University of Hong Kong, Member of the Chinese Dunhuang and Turfan Society. Her first book, Contemplating the Mind at Ease: Origin of the Guanyin Festivals and Worshipping in Hong Kong (Cosmo Publishing, 2020) awarded “The Next Writer, Publication Funding Scheme (Intangible Cultural Heritage Division)” by Hong Kong Publishing Federation and Create HK of the HKSAR Government, and awarded “Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Awards” by Hong Kong Publishing Professionals Society in 2021. Dr. Lok also published Serendipity at Dunhuang (Chung Hwa Book, 2021).
