Buddhist material culture (such as banners, printings, scrolls, metal containers, clay tablets, etc.) was a form of devotional art that contributed to the spreading of Buddhist knowledge across China. Buddhist images were reproduced and adopted on various media. Sometimes Buddhist elements from the sutras were combined with elements from folk tales and Taoist traditions and formed new imaginary that became “traditionally” Chinese. Discuss the role of Buddhist material culture in China and how materials were recycled and contributed to the formation of Chinese Buddhist religiosity over the centuries.

Buddhist material culture (such as banners, printings, scrolls, metal containers, clay tablets, etc.) was a form of devotional art that contributed to the spreading of Buddhist knowledge across China. Buddhist images were reproduced and adopted on various media. Sometimes Buddhist elements from the sutras were combined with elements from folk tales and Taoist traditions and formed new imaginary that became “traditionally” Chinese. Discuss the role of Buddhist material culture in China and how materials were recycled and contributed to the formation of Chinese Buddhist religiosity over the centuries.