The architecture of central -pillar cave in China and Central Asia: A typological study

In this dissertation, I examine a specific cave type commonly known as the central-pillar cave, one of the most prominent types in the early development of Buddhist rock-cut architecture in China and Central Asia. In a comprehensive examination of this cave typology, my work concentrates on the regional differences in architectural style, conception, and function of the cave type, because the identification of regional architectural styles, their characteristics and their relationships, are essential first steps toward understanding the complex religious, social, and cultural environment of medieval Buddhist China and Central Asia. These inter-regional differences and similarities in architectural style are clearly related to religious practices. Local variations in theology can be identified through studies of iconography and Buddhist texts, yet a richer understanding of these variations and their significance greatly profits from a more nuanced understanding of the cave-temple typology. I argue that the existing typology of the central-pillar cave is in fact a problematic amalgamation of at least two distinct cave types---the true central-pillar cave type and what I refer to as the Kuchean-style shrine. While true central-pillar caves are found in China, the Kuchean-shrine is found exclusively in Chinese Central Asia. The misidentification of the Kuchean-style shrine is the result of a misreading of the architectural plan. In addition, most recently, a third group of previously unstudied cave temples from western Central Asia has also been conflated with the central-pillar cave type. This group of monuments is also discussed in this dissertation where it is seen as a separate type. My architectural analysis shows that all these so-called related cave temples are different architecturally and should not be considered a single cave typology. While there is little question that the tradition of Buddhist cave temple has its beginning in India, it is apparent that local adaptation of this architectural tradition has favored using an indigenous architectural vocabulary to create these cave temples to suit the religious needs of each geographical region