An Exploration of Naxi Dongba Culture: The Application of "God" and "Ghost" Images from the Guide to Divine Paths in Wood Carving Arrays
This article examines Dongba culture, a millennium-old component of Naxi ethnic heritage shaped by continuous fusion with neighboring religious traditions. Focusing on "Shenlutu" (The Path of Gods), the masterpiece of Dongba painting used in funeral and soul-deliverance rituals, the study analyzes its depiction of the afterlife journey through the realms of ghosts, humans, and gods—including the nineteen hells and thirty-three divine realms—and compares these with Tibetan Buddhist, Han Buddhist, and Bon religious imagery. The author argues that while "Shenlutu" shows clear signs of Buddhist influence, the Naxi cosmology of life, death, and moral judgment is an independently developed system rather than a simple borrowing. Using the "God" and "Ghost" visual motifs' application in Lijiang Ancient City's wood carving arrays as a case study, the paper highlights how Dongba culture reflects both religious belief and social hierarchy, distinguishing it from Buddhism's doctrine of universal equality.
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