It
is widely believed that Buddhism was introduced to China during the Han
period (206 BC-220 AD). After its introduction, Mahayana Buddhism, the
most prominent branch of Buddhism in China, played an important role in
shaping Chinese civilization. Chinese civilization, as well, exerted a profound impact on the way Buddhism
was transformed in China.
The
influence of Buddhism grew to such an extent that vast amounts of
financial and human resources were expended on the creation and
establishment of impressive works of art and elaborate temples. This
growing interest in Buddhism helped to inspire new
ways of depicting deities, new types of architectural spaces in which to
worship them, and new ritual motions and actions. In this section, we
will look at Six Dynasties and Tang Chinese Buddhist images, view some early
and late Buddhist temples, then take a glimpse at contemporary Buddhist
practice.
Think
about the following questions as you view this unit: