A cross-cultural comparative study of Buddhist monumental art: the Borobudur Temple Complex (Indonesia) and the Dazu Rock Carvings (China)

A cross-cultural comparative analysis of Buddhist monumental art reveals that material and technical constraints critically shape sculptural form, viewing geometry, and ritual use. The study contrasts the Borobudur Temple Complex (Indonesia) with the Dazu Rock Carvings (China), demonstrating how volcanic andesite and prescribed circumambulatory routes in Borobudur favor shallow, sequential narrative modeling for didactic pilgrimage, while sandstone reliefs and near-full-round modeling in Dazu enable deeper undercutting, chiaroscuro effects, and syncretic iconography blending Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian elements. These differences highlight the impact of material properties on artistic expression and ritual function, advocating for context-sensitive conservation approaches. The findings advance comparative understandings of Mahayana sculptural practice.

Li, Y., Hu, B., & Gao, M. (2025). A cross-cultural comparative study of Buddhist monumental art: the Borobudur Temple Complex (Indonesia) and the Dazu Rock Carvings (China). Cogent Arts & Humanities, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2025.2576550