In the field of jade carving, the subject matter is very extensive and numerous.
Flowers and birds, fish and insects, birds and beasts, dragons and phoenixes, people's scenery, etc.
However, have you noticed that in fact, a large part of jade carvings are related to Buddhism.
Why is this? Today, I'll tell you why!
Let's talk about the introduction and spread of Buddhism first!
In fact, the influx of Buddhism into China began in ancient India.
It was the first large-scale foreign cultural input in the history of Chinese and foreign cultures!
Of course, you should know that the traditional religions in ancient China are mainly Confucianism and Taoism, which claim to be orthodox culture.
Buddhism will definitely be rejected by Taoism and Confucianism when it flows into China.
It was the local sects in China that attacked and rejected it.
However, it greatly stimulated the development of Buddhism and accelerated the process of Buddhism prevailing in China.
The flexible self-discipline consciousness of Buddhism appeals to the beliefs and thinking habits of the Chinese nation.
Grasping these characteristics, the spread of Buddhism has greatly accelerated the process!
After Wei and Jin Dynasties, Buddhism prevailed in China.
At that time, the ruling class began to build temples and carve Buddha statues all over the country.
At this time, hetian jade played a role in it.
Because China people have always loved jade,
So they took jade and began to carve images of religious figures such as lotus seeds and lotus boys related to Buddhist allusions.
In this way, for more than 400 years from the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty,
The wind of jade Buddha prevails!
Buddhism was introduced into every dynasty in China, and the wind of respecting Buddhism was very strong.
Respecting Buddha and believing in Buddha, coupled with the ancient people's admiration for jade, these jade carvings with Buddhist themes began to be handed down.
During this period, the ruling class of the dynasty carved many large jade buddhas for the temples to worship.
Folk also used incense burners to incense the jade Buddha, and began to wear jade carving Buddhist theme pendant bracelets.
As the carrier of human emotions, wishes and beliefs, it is conveyed to the gods and buddhas.
Buddhist elements have been fully used in Hetian jade carving,
If Buddha and Guanyin are the two most widely used themes,
So now in jade carving, there has always been a saying that "men wear Guanyin and women wear Buddha"
The meaning here is actually homophonic "men wear official seals and women wear the word" Fu ".
This is also an expression of people's yearning for a better life, a spiritual sustenance!
The essence of jade carving art of Buddha statue
Guanyin is the most common jade carving in Buddhism. Guanyin has a soft heart and dignified manners, has a clear understanding of the world, always keeps peace, eliminates disasters and solves problems, stays away from disasters, and has great compassion for all beings, which is the embodiment of saving the suffering. In The Wonderful Heart of the Shurangama Sutra on the Top of the Giant Buddha, it is said that Guanyin in the world is the body of Guanyin, not the real body. Guanyin has 32 and 33. Although Guanyin has 32 phases, no matter what kind of jade carving Guanyin is, it must conform to the important characteristics of Guanyin in people's minds, that is, modesty and kindness.
Jade carving creation should pay attention to aesthetic feeling. But this kind of aesthetic feeling is extraordinary beauty, solemn and compassionate, and pleasant. This is the essence of the jade carving art of Buddha statues.