Buddhist sculptures

Author: Ouyang Qiming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: Buddhism originated in India around the 6th century BC. It initially spread in the middle and upper reaches of the Ganges River in India. The founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, opposed the Brahmanic creation myth of Brahma with the concepts of impermanence and dependent origination, and challenged the Brahmanic caste system with the idea of the equality of all beings, quickly gaining popularity. Buddhism has undergone a developmental process from primitive Buddhism, Hinayana Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, and Vajrayana Buddhism. During the Ashoka era of the Maurya Empire in the 3rd century BC, Buddhist scriptures were compiled, and missionaries were sent to various countries to promote the Dharma, laying the foundation for Buddhism and making it a world religion. Buddhist sculpture originated in Gandhara during the Kushan period in India, then evolved in various parts of India, and spread to Southeast Asian countries and China. It was later transmitted to the Korean Peninsula and eventually to Japan. During the process of Buddhist dissemination, Buddhist sculptures underwent changes in style across different regions, with Chinese thought particularly prominent in the representation of Buddha images. This book collects viewpoints from scholars in the fields of Chinese philosophy and art, as well as materials gathered by the author during their studies in Japan. It selects typical Buddhist artworks from various regions and eras, using rich evidence to argue the important role of Chinese thought in the evolution of Buddhist sculpture.