Photographer reflects on Buddhist art throughout China

chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2017-04-01 06:59

A wall of Buddha statue carvings from the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644) is adjacent to a narrow mountain path in Gouwang stockade, village of Hongya county, Southwest China's Sichuan province, in March 2014. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]

Buddhism was first introduced to China during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220) via the Silk Road and it took over a century assimilate into Chinese culture.

However, even at that time, Buddhism gradually took root in some ancient Chinese people's daily lives.

With the spread of Buddhism, Buddhist art, particularly Buddha statues, flourished throughout ancient China. Buddha statues, whether made of bronze, stone or clay, vividly displayed the dignified Buddha.

Since 2005, Yuan Rongsun, a member of the China Photographers' Association, has travelled across China in search for Buddhist grotto sculpture art.

Photos that Yuan took show the impressive images of Buddha statues and reflect Buddhism beliefs embedded in Chinese people even today.

The following photos selected from Yuan's works mainly show images of Buddha statues in Southwest China's Sichuan province.

Villagers pose for a group photo inside Sanxian Grotto of Buddha statues from the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644) in Gaosheng township of Anyue county, Southwest China's Sichuan province, in December 2014. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]

Villagers still guard the ruins of Buddha statue carvings from the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279) in Shifogou village of Peng'an county, Southwest China's Sichuan province. Photo was taken in March 2013. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]

Villagers pay their respects to Buddha statues from the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279) at Mingshan Temple in Shiyang township of Anyue county, Southwest China's Sichuan province. Photo was taken in September 2009. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]

A grotto of Buddha statues from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) in Niujiao village of Renshou county, Southwest China's Sichuan province. Photo was taken in June 2010. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]

Followers of Buddhism pay their respects to a large statue of Maitreya Buddha from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) at Feixiange historic site in Pujiang county, Southwest China's Sichuan province. Photo was taken in March 2014. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]

A villager walks past Moyan Grotto of Buddha Statues from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) at Wofuyuan historical site of Anyue county, Southwest China's Sichuan province. Photo was taken in March 2011. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]

A grotto of seven Buddha statues from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) at Chongxiang Temple in Xiaoxi township of Guang'an city, Southwest China's Sichuan province. Photo was taken in March 2011. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]

A rock covered in thousands of Buddha statue carvings from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) at Niuxian Temple in Wuchang township of Jiajiang county, Southwest China's Sichuan province. Photo was taken in October 2011. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]

Villagers pay their respects to a Thousand-Hand Kwan-yin statue from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) at Donglin temple in Neijiang city, Southwest China's Sichuan province. Photo was taken in December 2012. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]

A villager carrying a bicycle walks down a grotto of Buddha statues from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) at Qianfoyan historical site in Jiajiang county, Southwest China's Sichuan province. Photo was taken in August 2010. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]

Two villagers stand in front of a cave temple with Sakyamuni Buddha statues from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) in Liuzui village of Dengleng county, Southwest China's Sichuan province. Photo was taken in February 2014. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]

A huge reclining Buddha from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) in Anyue county, Southwest China's Sichuan province. Photo was taken in September 2009. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]

A Buddha statue grotto from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) is located at Shuining Temple in Bazhong city, Southwest China's Sichuan province. Photo was taken in July 2011. [Photo by Yuan Rongsun/photoint.net]