BUDDHIST

Buddhist

Buddhist

The representation of Buddha in India and China had some similarities and were taken from the origin of a religion Buddhism which initially came from India, and then over the centuries spread to China. Instead of just mere copying, Chinese art evolved the image of Buddha, making it its own innovation, and also presented other deities which were not known in India. In history, a classical period if Indian culture differed from that of Chinese in politics, artistic styles, religion and so on. India did influence China somewhat, though China remained to be less changed than influenced by Middle East and Mediterranean diverse cultures as India was.

From the Zhou dynasty, Chinese speculated about God and the mysteries of heaven. Major beliefs in China reflected the importance of "harmonious earthy life." Also Confucius began to teach of political virtue and good government and stressed respect for "one's social superiors", avoiding abusive power. This philosophy, as mentioned, was revived under Han dynasty. Later Legalism was stressed and Confucianism wasn't supported by the government, though legalism wasn't favored by the people and wasn't widespread in China (Jung 2003). In waning centuries of Zhou dynasty, Daoism (Dao- the way of nature) was somewhat supported, but mostly by upper classes, at least in the earlier centuries. Chinese art was largely decorative, putting a great emphasis on detail; it was often reflected with precision.

Eventually in the fist century AD, Buddhism reached China from India, but it did not evolve until the Six Dynasties period (220--589), when troubles in the government system lead to Buddhism's "full acceptance." Buddhism sometimes prospered under "imperial patronage;" however, it was also persecuted. The faith though did survive such times and continued to flourish. Initially, Buddhist art in China was based closely on images taken from Indian art. As Buddhism was absorbed into ...