The Study On Chinese Buddhist Grotto Sculpture

Buddhism is an ancient religion originating from India,which first appears between 7th century B.C.and 6th century B.C.The founder of Buddhism is Siddhartha Gautama,also known as Shakyamuni Buddha(562-480 B.C.).Siddhartha strongly opposes to the personality cult and painting his figure,when he is alive. Therefore,it is forbidden to make statue of Buddha in the early Buddhism.The Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great(272-232 B.C.)makes great effort to propagate Buddhism.After Buddhism becomes the state religion,Buddhists gradually begin to carve a series of statues of Buddha.Buddhist Grotto Art begins to develop at this point.The transition from non-statue to statute-carving is an important stage and characteristic in the development of Buddhist Grotto Art.The transition is not only the necessity of the historical development but also an outcome of exploit and innovation.Buddhism spreads further into the middle and western Asia due to its prevalence in India.Buddhist Grotto Sculpture as the product of Buddhist Art begins to be introduced into China and blend with Chinese culture,which has now evolved into a very unique art style and attracts attentions from people.Chinese Grotto Sculpture begins in the 3rd century,prevails around 5th to 8th century,and ends in the 16th century.Buddhist Grotto Art has been introduced into the Xinjiang region since Han and Wei dynasties.It has developed around one thousand year till Yuan and Ming dynasties.China is famous for its grotto sculptures. It is very difficult to find a rival for China in the world in terms of the grotto sculptures.Most of grottoes are located in the northwest,middle,southeast and southwest of China,which is related to the route of spread of Buddhism in China."The beginning of Art comes from Sculpture".The statues are the main parts in the grottoes.Buddhist grotto sculptures are the products of the history,which are created by known or unknown craftsmen based on the typical stories of Buddhism. Because of its long history,there are many grotto sculptures in China.They can be basically divided into two groups:stone carving and painted sculpture.From the view point of Marxism,the evolution of artic creation is determined by the social economical condition,while there are the imbalances between the inclines and declines of the artic creation and social development.Although Buddhist Grotto Sculpture as exotic import limits the creation of the craftsman,it has evolved into many different styles.Buddhist Grotto Sculpture has blended with Buddhist sculpture, Grotto Art,Sculpture Art,Painting Art and Chinese culture.It is a comprehensive expression of esthetics and Buddhism...