洪辩

洪辩

洪辩（?—862），因俗姓吴，又称吴僧统、吴和尚，晚唐时期敦煌的著名僧人。早在吐蕃时期，洪辩在担任大蕃沙州释门都法律兼摄副教授10多年后，晋升到沙州最高的僧官释门都教授。在公元832—834年间，于莫高窟开凿“七佛堂”，即现在的莫高窟第365窟，窟内西壁佛坛下功德文有其题名。

大中二年（848），张议潮起义时，洪辩作为沙州僧团的最高领袖，坚决支持张议潮起义。在张议潮向唐王朝派出报捷使团时，洪辩也派弟子悟真率僧人使团出使长安。唐王朝赐予洪辩多项殊荣，任命其继续担任河西最高的宗教领袖都僧统。

此后洪辩又在莫高窟开凿一座大窟，即现在的莫高窟第16窟，这个洞窟是莫高窟空间最大的洞窟。在这个洞窟甬道北壁，发现了举世闻名的藏经洞——莫高窟第17窟。莫高窟第17窟原为附设于第16窟的耳室，在洪辩离世后，他的族人、弟子将此室改为影堂，即洪辩的纪念堂，内塑洪辩的真身彩塑像，展现洪辩生前的生活。

Hong Bian

Hong Bian (?-862), also known by the common surname Wu, and referred to as Wu Sengtong or Monk Wu, was a prominent monk in Dunhuang during the late Tang period.

As early as the Tubote regime, he served for over a decade as dean of Shazhou Overseeing all Political, Legal and Theological Master during the Tubote occupation before being promoted to the highest monk official position, professor of Monastic Law. Between 832 and 834, he excavated the Seven Buddhas' Cave in the Mogao Caves, which is now Cave 365. His name can be found inscribed in the merit text beneath the butsudan against the western wall of the cave.

During the 848 uprising led by Zhang Yichao, Hong, the highest leader of the monastic community in Shazhou, firmly supported the rebellion. When Zhang sent a delegation to report the victory to the Tang Dynasty, Hong dispatched his disciple Wu Zhen to lead a group of monks to Chang'an. The royal court bestowed numerous honors upon Hong, appointing him to continue as the highest religious leader in Hexi.

Later, Hong Bian excavated a large cave in the Mogao Caves, which is now known as Cave 16, the most spacious in the complex. Cave 17, the world-famous Library Cave, was discovered on the northern wall of the corridor in this cave. Originally an adjoining room to Cave 16, this chamber was transformed into a memorial hall after Hong's passing by his family and disciples, featuring a life-sized painted statue of Hong.