The Eternal Smile of Buddha

Buddhism found its way to China around the first century and has since exerted a significant, far-reaching influence on Chinese culture. It has left an indelible mark on Chinese art, with splendid Buddhist artistic works surviving the vicissitudes of time. Among them, statues of the Buddha constitute an important component, and are found in many places across the country, including Yungang Grottoes in Shanxi Province, Mogao Grottoes in Gansu Province, Longmen Grottoes in Henan Province, Dazu Stone Sculptures in Chongqing Municipality, as well as in numerous temples. The Buddha statues, in a sense, record the development of Chinese civilization, displaying the achievements of sculptural arts and expressing the hope of the people.