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.

洪辯

洪辯（?—862），因俗姓吳，又稱吳僧統、吳和尚，晚唐時期敦煌的著名僧人。早在吐蕃時期，洪辯在擔任大蕃沙州釋門都法律兼攝副教授10多年后，晉升到沙州最高的僧官釋門都教授。在公元832—834年間，于莫高窟開鑿“七佛堂”，即現在的莫高窟第365窟，窟內西壁佛壇下功德文有其題名。

大中二年（848），張議潮起義時，洪辯作為沙州僧團的最高領袖，堅決支持張議潮起義。在張議潮向唐王朝派出報捷使團時，洪辯也派弟子悟真率僧人使團出使長安。唐王朝賜予洪辯多項殊榮，任命其繼續擔任河西最高的宗教領袖都僧統。

此后洪辯又在莫高窟開鑿一座大窟，即現在的莫高窟第16窟，這個洞窟是莫高窟空間最大的洞窟。在這個洞窟甬道北壁，發現了舉世聞名的藏經洞——莫高窟第17窟。莫高窟第17窟原為附設于第16窟的耳室，在洪辯離世后，他的族人、弟子將此室改為影堂，即洪辯的紀念堂，內塑洪辯的真身彩塑像，展現洪辯生前的生活。