Greco-Buddhism

Greco-Buddhism is the result of a cultural syncretism between the Classical Greek culture and Buddhism, which developed over a period of close to 800 years in Central Asia corresponding to contemporary Afghanistan and Pakistan. The resulting Hellenized form of Buddhism, called Mahayana, was adopted by China, Korea and Japan from the 5th century AD, greatly influencing their art and culture.

History

The interraction between Hellenism and Buddhism started when Alexander the Great conquered Asia Minor and Central Asia from 334 BC, thus establishing direct contact with India, the birthplace of Buddhism. Alexander founded several cities in his new territories, establishing intense cultural exchanges and trade.

Following Alexander's death in 323 BC, his generals founded their own kingdoms in Asia Minor and Central Asia. General Seleucus set up the Seleucid Kingdom which extended as far as India. Later, the Eastern part of the Seleucid Kingdom broke away to form the Greco-Bactrian kingdom (3rd.c.-2nd.c. BC), followed by the Indo-Greek kingdom (2nd century BC-1st century AD), and later still by the Kushan empire (1st - 3rd century AD).

Ashoka, king of north India (2nd century BC) circulated a Greek translation of the Buddhist canon, sending teachers throughout the Greek isles.

The fusion of Greek and Buddhist cultures operated over several centuries until it ended in the 5th century AD with the White Huns invasions, and later the expansion of Islam (see also: Pre-Islamic period of Afghanistan). This fusion has been vividly exemplified by a very rich Greco-Buddhist art, with numerous statues displaying the intermixing of Greek and Buddhist influence, around such creation centers as Gandhara.

Influences

The resulting Hellenized form of Buddhism expanded into Northern Asia from the 5th century onward, to China, Korea and Japan, forming the basis of Mahayana Buddhism, itself at the origin of Zen.

The very image of the Buddha in Mahayana Buddhism is an example of Greco-Buddhist fusion, with its Greco-Roman toga-like wavy robe covering both shoulders, stylicized Mediterranean curly hair, and the Apollo-like soft and compassionate facial expression, all rendered with strong artistic realism (see Greek art).

Several other Buddhist deities are direct adaptations of Greek gods, such as Hercules as the inspiration for Vajrapani (執金剛神, Shukongooshin in Japan), the wrath-filled and muscular guardian god of the Buddha, standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples under the appearance of frightening wrestler-like statues (see example at Nikko, Japan).

The influence of Greco-Buddhism on the cultural make-up of Northern Asian countries, especially Korea and Japan, although most clearly visible in the arts and religion, may have extended further in the intellectual area. Central concepts of Hellenic culture such as virtue, excellence or quality may have been adopted by the cultures of Korea and Japan after a long diffusion among the Hellenized cities of Central Asia, to become a key part of their warrior and work ethics.