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    Ancient Buddhist Art of Pakistan

    Written by: Sirat Gohar Daudpoto
    Posted on: August 29, 2024 | | 中文

    Buddhist rock carvings in Chilas

    The archaeological record of the Buddhist heritage of Pakistan consists of a large number of artistic objects and representations. It includes sculptures and paintings of Buddha, Bodhisattvas and devotees of Buddhism, the sculptural representations of religious monuments and symbols associated with Buddhism and the depictions of Buddhist figures and symbols in rock art. Together, this artistic-religious material including rock art representations bear witness to the glorious past of Buddhism in the country where it flourished for centuries.

    Buddhist stupa in the ancient city of Sirkap in Taxila showing western and local influences (Photo by the author).

    Archaeologically speaking, it is believed that the tradition of making images of Buddha, Bodhisattvas and other prominent figures in Buddhism originated around 1st century CE in the Gandhara region of ancient Pakistan, under the patronage of Mahayana sect of Buddhism during the Kushan dynasty. It is generally accepted that the images of Buddha are not found in the Buddhist art earlier than the 1st century CE. This does not mean that the history of Buddhist art in Pakistan is not older than the 1st century CE, but it goes almost three centuries back to the 3rd century BCE when Ashoka was ruling over ancient Indo-Pakistani subcontinent. However, it needs to be pointed that in the early Buddhist art Buddha was represented with different symbols such as bowl, lotus, tree, throne and dharmachakra amongst others.

    A gold of the Kushan emperor Kanishka with an image of Buddha on one side at exhibit in Lahore Museum (Photo by the author)

    The most striking feature of the Buddhist art of Pakistan is regional distinctiveness and variations in art forms. The sculptures of Gandhara (upper Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) are distinct from those of Sindh. Similarly, the Buddhist rock art of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Sindh is also different from each other in style and form. The difference between the Buddhist art of each region of Pakistan can be distinguished easily, likewise the similarities in technique, form and content are also discernable. For example, in the rock art depictions of Buddha and Bodhisattvas and the Buddhist stupas and symbols in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh sameness can be detected, but at the same time the rock art of Buddhism from each region can be distinguished and recognized with reference to a particular region of rock art in Pakistan.

    Kargah Buddha, a Buddhist rock sculpture in Gilgit

    Furthermore, in terms of Buddhist art, the Gandhara region of Pakistan is known all across the world owing to its peculiar art of Buddhism. The art of Gandhara or ‘Gandhara art’, as it is popularly called, is often called Buddhist art. However, Gandhara art is not completely Buddhist art, although most of the art of Gandhara in one way or the other is related to Buddhism but still there is a portion of it which is non-Buddhist, and calling it Buddhist art is an art historical research problem that needs to be determined. By taking a close look of the artistic features of the Gandhara art, one will come to know that the art of Gandhara is a mixture of styles and characteristics of the art of different countries (e.g. Persian, Greek, Roman, Indian and Central Asian). And that is why it was, and is, called with different terms such as the Greco-Buddhist Art, Indo-Afghan Art, Indo-Roman/Roman-Indian Art. It is true that the art of Gandhara, including the Buddhist art, shows western, Central Asian and Indian influences. Particularly, in the Buddhist art of Gandhara the influence from these parts is very prominent. For example, Gandharan Buddha or Bodhisattva is often depicted wearing inner and outer robes that completely cover his body from shoulders to anklets showing inspiration from the west, quite different from the images of Buddha and Bodhisattvas from other areas that show more local influence. Another peculiar and distinctive feature of the Buddhist art of Gandhara is material (stone (schist, phyllite), stucco and clay), which were used to make Buddhist art. Generally, it can be said that the iconography of the Buddhist art of Gandhara makes it distinct from the Buddhist art of other parts of Pakistan, and also from the rest of the world.

    An example of Gandharan art, a relief panel depicting a Silk Road caravan with a horse and Central Asian camel (Photo by the author)

    The conclusion is that art associated with Buddhism is found in almost all regions of Pakistan. The Buddhist art of the country’s each area has its own distinctive characteristics; for example, the Gandharan Buddhist sculptures and paintings are different from those found in Sindh (note - only fragmentary evidence of Buddhist murals was recorded at the archaeological site of Vijnot in the Ghotki district of Sindh Province) and also the rock carvings of Buddhist stupas and symbols of northern and southern parts of the country are not alike. It shows the regional distinctiveness and variations in art, and it is owing to this particular reason that the Buddhist art of Pakistan is known and admired all over the world.

    Fasting Buddha seated in meditation position on display at Lahore Museum (Photo by the author)


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021