Giving and the creation of Merit

This essay is devoted to a presentation and discussion of the manner in which Buddhist offerings and donations were made in the context of Buddhism in Dunhuang (敦煌) during the 10th century. It investigates the motives for making offerings, with special attention to religious paintings and holy books. I provide several elucidating case stories for each category, as well as a number of special or unusual examples. The basic idea is to give detailed insight into the motives and typologies underlying the activities of Buddhist donors and patrons under Guiyijun rule (851–1036?, 歸義軍, Return-to-Allegiance Army)