Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.77

v2.c11.77

Gandhara art was first introduced into Xinjiang area, which brought the prosperity of western Chinese Buddhist art. The Buddhist art in Shanshan (Loulan in ancient times) and Khotan areas in the south of Silk Road were the products under the influence of Gandhara art, and late Khotan Buddhist art also absorbed the element of Gupta art. Loulan and Khotan had accepted Buddhism in 2nd or 3rd centuries, for instance, both monks and laity shall "try to preach Indian Buddhism," and ascetics shall "read Indian books and learn Indian." At the beginning of 20th century, 14 Buddhist temple ruins were unearthed in Milan, Ruoqiang County, with the remaining building components, statues, frescoes, which showed the influence of Gandhara art. The remaining frescoes in Loulan had the similar style with that of Milan.