The Secularization of Ancient Chinese Religion: A Case Study of the Dazu Rock Carvings

The Dazu Rock Carvings, flourishing during the Northern and Southern Song dynasties, represent a significant shift toward secularization in ancient Chinese religious art. These carvings, situated in Chongqing, integrate Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist themes while reflecting local customs and social life, marking them as distinct in Chinese cave temple art. Through documentary analysis, iconographic methods, and fieldwork, the study examines the visual features of Bodhisattva images and narrative scenes, identifying key factors driving this secular transformation. The findings suggest a path of secularization and indigenization shaped by the interaction between foreign cultural elements and local traditions, offering new perspectives for contemporary artistic practice.

Deng, L. (2026). The Secularization of Ancient Chinese Religion: A Case Study of the Dazu Rock Carvings. Communications in Humanities Research, 78(1), 235–240. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7064/2026.ht31374