Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.70

v2.c11.70

**(III) Art:** In Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties, Indian Gandhara art and Gupta art were introduced in the Western Regions, and the mainland of China with Buddhism. With the spread of Buddhism, believers needed idol worship, so Chinese and Indian Buddhists began to build temples, or took back scriptures, progressing steadily. Beginning from 3rd century CE, Buddhist paintings were introduced constantly through Indian Buddhists visiting China or Buddhists returning from India. In 247 CE, Kangseng Hui, who was an indigenous Indian, began to preach in the capital of Wu State – Jianye (present day Nanjing), Emperor Sun Quan built Jianchu Temple (present day Porcelain Tower) for him. Chinese painter Cao Buxing saw the Buddha paintings and depicted them, which spread all over the world. Buddha paintings brought by Kangseng Hui might be in Gandhara style or Mathura style. In 399 CE, Buddhist Faxian of Eastern Jin Dynasty set out for learning the *sutras* from Chang’an. He travelled across many countries including India, where Gupta Art grew up. When copying scriptures, Faxian also imitated and painted Gupta Buddha. In 412 CE, Faxian returned to China by sea, and brought back many Buddhas, thus, Buddha in Indian Gupta Era was introduced in China. During the reign of Yixi of Jin Dynasty (405-418 CE), Simhala (present day Sri Lanka) in the south of India presented the jade Buddha, about 1.4 m high, with jade green colour, special shape and of excellent workmanship. This Buddha was preserved in Waguan Temple, and together with five Buddhas hand-made by Dai Kui *Five Buddha* and Gu Kaizhi’s painting *Vimalakirti*, they were called the three wonders. During the reign of Donghunhou of Qi State of Southern Dynasty, Buddha was destroyed and was used to make ornaments for the imperial concubines. The jade Buddha was probably introduced from southern India to Sri Lanka with Amaravati style.