Archaeological Research Concerning The Buddhist Statues Of The Southern Dynasties

The Buddhist statues of the southern dynasties occupies an important position in the history of Chinese and east Asian's Buddhist statues.Its distribution is concentrated in the regions with Nanjing,as the center of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River,and in Chengdu,as the center of Sichuan area.Nanjing,served as the capital,was the center of southern buddhist statues and even the cultural,but its relics of the buddhist statues are rare.There are grotto statues in Nanjing mainly,and a small amount of other relics unearthed,such as golden copper statues and clay pottery.While there are a monomer stone statues in Chengdu region,which were regarded as the represent of statues in southern dynasties in the academic circles.However,the discoveries of statues in southern dynasties are so less than the northern dynasties,that its research are very weak relatively.Attached to the studies of the southern Buddhist statues,has become a correct academic partial task.This is the reason of why I has chosen this topic selection.The author divides the southern Buddhist statues into four categories:grotto statues,single syone statues,golen copper statues,and other types of clay pottery matter,then begin to investigate detailedly.The use of information in addition to previous reference published official data,also made reference to a number of internal information,more important is the many personally investigation,based on understanding in the text,pictures and other graphic materials,enhancing the sense of three-dimensional image.First is grotto statues,there are mainly in two place,one is the Qixia Mountain Grottoes in Nanjing,one is the Xinchang caves in Zhejiang.Because the former has not published formal archaeological reports,the paper's material basis is accorded to the author's investigation in 2008,and the master's thesis in 2009.On a large number of archaeological investigation and trace identification based on work,combined with the part of grottoes in the northern dynasties and statues unearthed in Chengdu,the author discusses the grotto statues of Qixia mountain from the cave shape,characteristics,combination,staging,subject matter and so on,and then discussed the Zhejiang grotto statues in Xingchang.After the investigation of the two important grottoes,the author summarize its characteristics,evolution and historical background.This is the main content of the first chapter.The second chapter discusses the monomer Buddhist stone statues.The discovery of such statues is most abundant in Chengdu area,not only have the back screen images,but also the round statue,statues and other forms.The research is focused on the analysis one by one,the characteristics and the stage.The grottoes of Qixia Mountain have been applied by cement in the nineteen twenties,concealed the original appearance,making academia not to have a deep research.But in Chengdu,the single stone statues,not only have the archaeological site,reliable time,but also have a good state of preservation,reflecting the characteristics and styles of the statues clearly.Therefore the statues of Chengdu area has important academic significance.The third chapter discusses the bronze statues.This kind of statues are found mainly in the Nanjing area.The data is limited,and has not officially announced.The author 's research focus on analysis of types,time and subject.This chapter'data mainly is from The cultural and Natural Heritage Institute in Nanjing University and Nangjing Museum.Because they are not published,it requires special note.The golden statues are found very little,and filled with many imitations,so the study is required to care.The distinguishing work is very necessary.The golden statues have their own characteristics,and impact on the Northern dynasties,Korea Peninsula and Japan.This is due to the characteristics of golden statues,such as smaller volume,easy to carry and spresd,and so on.The main content of the fourth chapter is about clay pottery sculptures.This kind of statues are found mainly in Nanjing,the number is very small,remnant damaged,so the authpor only discusses the imaging technology and some statues factors.Comparing to Yongning Temple In the Northern Wei Dynasty,and Dinglin Temple in Baekje,the author obtains the conclusion that the statues in three place have close origin relationship.In the fifth chapter,based on the above discussion,focuses on the statues style,origin,transmission line problems.This paper presents two concepts—" Jiankang style" and "Chengdu style".The factors on statues are made a careful analysis and comprehensive definition,and then the effect of statues in southern dynasties is discussed on the northern dynasties,the Korean Peninsula,Japan and other countries.As the two most important sculpture center,Jiankang ws the capital,having the advantage in culture,not only can receive central plains and North's influence,and also have the factors from the Western regions and the Mathura style.Then it can melt them and spread them to the other regions of China,and even influent the north,Baekje and Japan.Jiankang style's importance in the South Dynasty Buddhist statues was absolute,this concept is put forward to highlight its influence and status.Chengdu is located in southern West,but the geographical position,strategic position were very important.It was more stable than the north,and also has profound cultural background,so there were plenty of conditions for the development of Buddhism and Buddhist statues.Especially as the transfer station in communication for the western regions with the southern dynasties,Chengdu accepted the influence of western regions and statues of Liangzhou was very convenient,at the same time,it accepted the influence from Jiankang was also favorable.It can propagate the factors of statues to the area in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River,also can feed back to the northwest.So at this point,it has played an important effect as the transfer station." Chengdu style " was put forward,whose reason was that Chengdu statues have unique style,determined by its unique cultural tradition and geographical position.Although Chengdu style was different from Jiankang style,it is fundamentally belongs to the category of the southern statues,as the deputy center under the effect of Jiankang.On the problem about the source of the statues,it mainly through the north to the south by the sea or by cross Canton line,it spreaded its style to north by several road,one is from Jiankang directly went up north to Qingzhou;the second road were from Jingzhou north to Luoyang;the third road from Jiankang to Hexi region by Chengdu.After the factors of the southern dynasties arrived Shandong Peninsula,they were transmitted to the Korean Peninsula,or directed from Jiankang by the sea road.The last is the sixth chapter,the author puts the Southern Buddhism statues in the period of five to sixth Century,and the international background,discussing its influence and role in the East Asia region,evaluating its historic status.This period of East Asia was a great era of change,with the Sixteen States founded in the Central Plains,constant war in north.Han nationality regime retreated south,keeping the advanced culture.Therefore,the culture of southern dynasties was the teacher of the other regions in East Asia.As a means of communication,buddhist art played an important role in politics,economy and culture among the countries in East Asian.In this background,the southern buddhist statues produced so great influence to the north,Baekje and Japan,that made the Buddhist art in this area shrouded in the light of the southern statues temporarily.