🗾East Asian Art and Architecture Unit 5 – Chinese Buddhist Art: Early Dynasties

Historical Context

• Buddhism introduced to China during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) via the Silk Road trade routes
• Spread rapidly during periods of political instability and social upheaval (Three Kingdoms Period, 220-280 CE)
• Gained popularity among the elite and educated classes during the Six Dynasties period (220-589 CE)
• Experienced significant growth and development under the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) with imperial patronage
• Reached its peak during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) with the rise of Chan (Zen) Buddhism
• Faced challenges and decline during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 CE) under Mongol rule
• Experienced a resurgence during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE) with the revival of traditional Chinese culture

Key Buddhist Concepts

• Four Noble Truths: suffering exists, it arises from attachment, it ceases when attachment ceases, and the path to liberation is the Eightfold Path
• Eightfold Path: right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration
• Three Jewels (Triple Gem): the Buddha, the Dharma (teachings), and the Sangha (monastic community)
• Karma: the law of cause and effect, actions have consequences in this life and future lives
• Samsara: the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
• Nirvana: the ultimate goal of liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth
• Bodhisattva: an enlightened being who postpones their own nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment
• Compassion (karuna) and wisdom (prajna) as central virtues in Mahayana Buddhism

Major Dynasties and Their Impact

• Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE): initial introduction and spread of Buddhism in China
• Six Dynasties period (220-589 CE): development of distinctly Chinese forms of Buddhism (Pure Land, Tiantai)
  • Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 CE): patronage of Buddhist art and architecture (Yungang and Longmen Grottoes)
• Sui Dynasty (581-618 CE): unification of China and support for Buddhism as a unifying force
• Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE): golden age of Chinese Buddhism with imperial patronage and cultural exchange
  • Expansion of Buddhist art and architecture (Mogao Caves, Leshan Giant Buddha)
  • Emergence of Chan (Zen) Buddhism
• Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE): further development and refinement of Buddhist art and philosophy
  • Rise of Neo-Confucianism and intellectual discourse between Buddhism and other traditions

Iconic Buddhist Art Forms

• Cave temples: rock-cut temples housing Buddhist sculptures and murals (Yungang, Longmen, Mogao)
• Pagodas: multi-tiered towers originally used to house relics and sacred texts (Wild Goose Pagoda, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda)
• Buddhist sculptures: stone, bronze, and wooden statues depicting Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and guardian figures
  • Seated Buddha sculptures (Leshan Giant Buddha, Vairocana Buddha at Fengxian Temple)
  • Standing Bodhisattva sculptures (Guanyin, Manjushri)
• Silk paintings: religious paintings on silk depicting Buddhist narratives, deities, and pure lands (Dunhuang banner paintings)
• Murals: large-scale paintings on temple and cave walls illustrating Buddhist stories and cosmology (Mogao Caves murals)

Symbolism and Iconography

• Mudras: hand gestures with symbolic meanings (abhaya mudra for fearlessness, dhyana mudra for meditation)
• Asanas: seated or standing postures of Buddhist figures (lotus position, relaxed pose)
• Halos and mandorlas: circular or oval auras surrounding the head or body of sacred figures, representing their spiritual radiance
• Lotus flower: symbol of purity, enlightenment, and the Buddha's teachings
• Wheel of Dharma: represents the Buddha's teachings and the Eightfold Path
• Stupa: dome-shaped structure originally used to house relics, later evolved into pagodas
• Bodhisattva attributes: specific objects or symbols associated with each bodhisattva (Guanyin's willow branch and vase, Manjushri's sword and book)

Influential Artists and Patrons

• Monk Tanyao: oversaw the construction of the Yungang Grottoes during the Northern Wei Dynasty
• Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty: sponsored the construction of the Xiaonanhai Cave Temple
• Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty: commissioned the Fengxian Temple and its colossal Vairocana Buddha statue
• Wu Daozi: renowned Tang Dynasty painter known for his dynamic and expressive Buddhist murals (now lost)
• Empress Wu Zetian: patroness of Buddhism during the Tang Dynasty, sponsored the construction of the Longmen Grottoes
• Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty: commissioned the printing of the Tripitaka (Buddhist canon) and sponsored the Chongfu Temple

Regional Variations

• Northern China: more influenced by Central Asian and Indian styles, emphasis on cave temples and colossal sculptures (Yungang, Longmen)
  • Northern Wei Dynasty: distinct style characterized by elongated figures and linear drapery
• Southern China: more influenced by indigenous Chinese aesthetics, emphasis on wooden architecture and sculpture
  • Jiangnan region: known for its delicate and refined Buddhist art, influenced by the region's rich cultural heritage
• Western China (Gansu and Xinjiang): strong influence from the Silk Road trade routes, amalgamation of Chinese, Central Asian, and Indian styles (Mogao Caves)
  • Dunhuang: major center of Buddhist art and culture, known for its extensive cave temples and silk paintings
• Sichuan region: known for its unique sculptural style and the use of local materials (Leshan Giant Buddha)

Legacy and Influence

• Chinese Buddhist art influenced the development of Buddhist art in Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia
  • Spread of Chan (Zen) Buddhism to Japan, influencing Japanese art and culture
  • Transmission of Buddhist iconography and styles to Korea during the Three Kingdoms period (Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla)
• Revival of interest in traditional Chinese culture and art during the Ming Dynasty, leading to the preservation and restoration of Buddhist sites
• Inspiration for modern and contemporary Chinese artists, who draw upon Buddhist themes and aesthetics in their works
• Continued importance of Buddhist art as a source of cultural identity and spiritual inspiration in China and beyond
• Ongoing research and scholarship in the field of Chinese Buddhist art history, archaeology, and conservation