The timeless art of the temple
- Source: Global Times
- [09:29 August 23 2010]
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Spots of blue color on the hair are a clue to something else. The art of dyeing was not adopted until the late 7th century, suggesting that this statue might have been taken to China and worshipped in a Tibetan temple.
The oldest piece in this exhibition is the Seated Kwan-yin Bodhisattva, made between the 2nd and the 3rd century when the Buddhism had just been introduced into China.
Both the Buddhist and Jainist sections exhibit "footprints" but the craft and interpretations differ. Footprints are considered evidence of the existence of Buddha in Buddhism, while in Jainism they mark the place where a holy man has died.
Differences can also be found in the statues from the time of invention of the three religions. From the 5th and 6th centuries BC, Buddhist statues are classically traditional but the figures and faces of Jainist statues are fuller and rounder.
Partly inspired by Buddhism, the Hindu statues adopted the physical features of Indians.
"Giving the statues recognizable features might have helped the believers," said visitor Xiao Yang, an art enthusiast.
The British Museum has some of the most important and valuable collections of art and artifacts from all over the world but has been criticized as "a robber" because it has more works from other countries than it does from Britain.
Andrew Burnett admits that the number of "made in UK" works is "surprisingly" smaller.
As one of the activities affiliated to the UK Pavilion in the Expo site, the exhibition has attracted a large number of visitors, especially students and parents with children.
"It is a rare opportunity for my little boy to learn about the wonderful civilization in our neighboring country," a mother surnamed Tang said.
That is exactly the purpose of this exhibition. "This year is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Indian diplomatic relationship, and this exhibition is a great chance for Chinese people to learn how splendid ancient Indian art and culture is," said Chen Xiejun, the director of the Shanghai Museum.
