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Title: The Origin of Chinese Gilding Techniques and Its Influence on Buddha's Golden Body in Gandhara Art
Authors: Naiwen Zhang, Rukhsana Iftikhar
Journal: Research Journal ‘Ulum-e- Islamia'
Publisher: Islamia University, Bahawalpur
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2023
Volume: 30
Issue: 1
Language: English
DOI: 10.52461/ulm-e-islmia.v30i01.1898
It is a general misconception that Chinese gilding technique were far earlier than other countries, and Chinese gilded Buddha statues were influenced by Gandhara art. The birthplace of Gandhara art, which was originally a place where East and West met, it would have no qualms about absorbing any excellent art or advanced technology, which is a characteristic of Gandhara art, otherwise how could it has been influenced by Greek sculpture. Then, as the country where gilding technology was invented and matured, since it could gild all kinds of objects it liked, it would also habitually gild on top of the worshiped Buddha statues. The use of gilding technology on Buddha statues was not necessarily influenced by Buddhist doctrine or the stories of Buddhist scriptures, but most likely the use of gilding process in Buddhist statues influenced the description of Buddha's looks in Buddhist scriptures. In the Gandhara region compared to the Chinese hinterland, it is more likely that China first used the gilding process applied to the gilt bronze Buddha statues. Furthermore, not a single gilt statue of the Buddha is seen in the early days of Madhura art, the birthplace of Buddhism a little further away from the northwestern Silk Road, but instead gilt statues of the Buddha have been unearthed in Pakistan, near the front end of the Chinese Silk Road. This section attempts to find enough evidence in historical materials and artifacts to prove the origin of Chinese gilded art, how it was travelled and its influence on gandhara art. Both finally and secondly sources are used to make a logical statement of Buddha decoration and Gandhara Art.
Keywords: Gandhara Art Gilding Techniques Early Buddha Statues Gilding Techniques Spread
To investigate the origin of Chinese gilding techniques and their influence on the depiction of Buddha's golden body in Gandhara art, challenging the misconception that Chinese gilding was influenced by Gandhara art.
Historical analysis of textual evidence and archaeological artifacts, including examination of ancient texts, scholarly literature reviews, and analysis of excavated relics. The study compares the timeline of gilding techniques in China with their appearance in Gandhara and other regions.
graph TD
A["Literature Review & Historical Texts"] --> B["Analysis of Archaeological Artifacts"]
B --> C["Comparison of Gilding Timelines"]
C --> D["Evaluation of Gandhara Art Influences"]
D --> E["Formation of 'Golden Body' Concept Analysis"]
E --> F["Tracing Spread of Gilding Techniques"]
F --> G["Conclusion on Chinese Origin and Influence"]
The paper argues against the Western-centric view that Gandhara art was the sole influence on Buddhist art. It posits that China, as an ancient civilization with advanced gilding techniques, played a significant role in the development and spread of these techniques and related artistic concepts. The secrecy and exclusivity of gilding technology in China initially limited its spread but eventually led to its westward transmission. The formation of the "golden body" concept in China is linked to the visual splendor of gilded Buddha statues and the desire of the ruling class to express divinity.
- China invented and matured gilding technology, likely predating its use in other countries.
- The concept of Buddha's "golden body" likely originated in China, possibly influenced by the use of gilding on Buddha statues, rather than being derived from Buddhist scriptures or Gandhara art.
- Gilding technology likely spread westward from China through the Silk Road, influencing Gandhara art.
- Early Buddhist gold artifacts in South Asia, such as the Bimaran relic box, do not represent the origin of the "Buddha's golden body" concept.
The study concludes that Chinese gilding techniques are of ancient origin and likely predated their use in Gandhara. The concept of Buddha's golden body also appears to have originated in China, influenced by the application of gilding to Buddha statues, and subsequently spread westward to Gandhara and other regions.
- Claim: China was the first country in the world to use gilding technology.
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