About 2,000 year ago, Buddhism was introduced to China from ancient India. It has deeply influenced China's philosophy, literature and art. Among them, the most impressive is the Buddhist statue art, which represents very different aesthetics from those of west or Greece. This Buddhist art in China developed its own characteristics in different periods of history.

The early statues

Buddhism is a foreign religion in China and Buddhist art is considered exotic art. In the early days when Chinese artisans started to learn how to sculpt Buddhas, they alluded to the Gandhara style. The Gandhara region is located in present-day northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, and belonged to the northwest part of ancient India. 

In this region, Buddhist statues were created under the influence of Greek sculptures in the first century A.D. Hence, the early Buddha statues in China were entirely angular – they have square and wide shoulders, a strong and thick chest and a short neck, which represents the influence of a foreign culture.

After Emperor Xiaowen's reform

Buddhist sculptures started absorbing and adapting to local customs and traditions from the moment it entered China, and the first huge changes happened after Emperor Xiaowen's reform of the Northern Wei Dynasty in the late fifth century. 

In his reform, the "bao yi bo dai" clothing style of the literati and officials in southern China, referring to a loose gown with a wide sash, was promoted as the correct way of dressing. This political reform also influenced Buddhist statues tremendously.

The rotund and elegant fashion in the Tang Dynasty

The Tang Dynasty is considered to be the most prosperous dynasty in the Chinese history. People back then especially appreciated a plump and soft body, so the artisans of the Tang Dynasty preferred fleshy Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The most famous statues of this period can be found in Longmen Grottoes and Mogao Grottoes.

Song Dynasty: Secular human elements enhanced

In the Song Dynasty, the number of Bodhisattva sculptures increased dramatically, far exceeding that of Buddhas. They are more life-like, and more refined than those of previous dynasties. The most eye-catching part of these Bodhisattvas is the crown. The crown consists of symmetrical structures of twisted vines and interspersed flowers.

Two different aesthetics

Western sculptures and eastern Buddhist statues exhibit two very different aesthetics and generate different feelings. Western sculptures capture the figure's facial expressions or body movements, often at a gripping moment. Eastern Buddhist statues are committed to creating a peaceful and harmonious feeling, display a single glimpse of a continuous eternity. Both of them are beautiful and appealing – and can touch your heart in the same way.

You can watch this program exclusively on CGTN at 3:00 am BJT on December 3.