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Magic and Rituals in Kucha Paintings and Texts

  • Olga CHOI-KIENZLER (Institute for South and Central Asian Studies at the University of Leipzig and of the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities)
  • Published : 2025.12.31
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Abstract

This paper examines painted representations from Kucha associated with Buddhist magic in connection with protective texts and spells found along the Silk Road, in order to shed light on the ritual activities in Kucha and the function of the Kucha caves. The study explores texts that provide instructions for protective rituals and shows that they are closely linked to the gods and spirit-deities portrayed in the murals. Taking into account the large number of manuscript fragments in Sanskrit and Tocharian related to magic found in the region-some of which show similarities to the practices described in the Special Methods of the Uṣṇīṣavijayādhāraṇī, which is said to have been transmitted from Kucha to China-the study suggests that protective and magical practices, including those associated with black magic, were performed in Kucha. Based on the connection between the texts related to Kucha and the spirits and gods portrayed in the murals, as well as the architectural features of the caves and traces of soot on the paintings, the study argues that protective rituals, as well as those performed for the deceased, may have been performed in the Kucha caves, highlighting their protective function.

Keywords

References

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