Buddhist Architecture in Imperial China

Abstract

Buddhist architecture in China encompasses a vast and diverse range of buildings spanning more than fifteen hundred years, from the first centuries ce, when Buddhism was introduced into China, and extending through the 21st century. The three main forms of Chinese Buddhist architecture—temples, pagodas, and cave shrines—evolved from Indian precedents, the knowledge of which was imported into China alongside the religion. These three building types are all distinct in form and construction, contributing significantly to the richness of the Chinese architectural tradition. Because the earliest surviving timber-frame buildings in China are all Buddhist, the history of Chinese Buddhist architecture is in many ways synonymous with the history of Chinese architecture. Most of the surviving early wooden buildings are located in North China, with a particularly high concentration on Mount Wutai in Shanxi Province. These buildings were researched by the first group of Chinese architectural historians who formed the Society for Research on Chinese Architecture (Zhongguo Yingzao Xueshe 中國營造學社) in the early 20th century, and are the starting points for students of Chinese architectural history. Over the course of Chinese history, Buddhist architecture went through several significant developments; scholars have only begun to scratch the surface of Buddhist architecture after the Mongol-ruled Yuan dynasty (1279–1368), especially with regard to non-imperial buildings. Considerable regional variation is also exhibited Buddhist architecture, and much more work needs to be done in relation to architecture outside the main economic and political centers of the country in the north and southeast.