Buddhist culture has very strong influence on Chinese art. The contribution of Buddhist culture that had the most profound influence on Chinese dance development was the numerous dancing figures in grottoes in regions reached by Buddhism. They are the precious heritage of Chinese art.
The grotto art thrived with the introduction of Buddhism from India in the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period (386-581). It first appeared at the west end of the Silk Road, then from the west to the east, from the Western Regions to the Central Plains, leaving numerous grottoes alongside the road. In the frescoes and sculptures in these grottos, the dancing figures are omnipresent.
The earthly world cannot live without music and dance, neither can the nirvana. Buddhist theories always say that in the nirvana, holy music never ceases for a moment. Both Buddha and Bodhisattvas must have the offerings of fragrant flowers and dance. Hence dance scenes were always presented in the grotto frescos and sculptures trying to depict the nirvana of the Buddhist land. The images of flying Asparas andJiyueperformance in the nirvana came from the music gods Kinnara and Ghandarva of Buddhist legends. Except for them, the grotto art also records many performance scenes of music and dance, which were exactly the same with performances in this world.
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