where so many greeks became buddhist converts and patrons the encounter between east and west had lasting consequences for centuries it had been customary to represent the buddha with symbols often footprints an empty seat or the bodhi tree but in the later years of the indo-greek kingdom anthropomorphic representations of the buddha began to appear these first images of the buddha especially associated with the gandara region show clear signs of greek influence they stand like greek statues their expressions and hairstyles resemble those of greek antecedents they wear greek style tunics with the finely folded drapery characteristic of hellnistic art the fact that most works of gandara style art appeared after the fall of the indo-greek kingdom he has raised questions about the nature of the greek influence on buddhist iconography it remains uncertain whether the earliest depictions of the buddha emerged directly from a native indo-greek tradition or whether ideas and craftsmen arriving via the new roman trade route played an important role whatever its origins the greek strain and buddhist art would have a long history moving with the faith into central asia china and japan the image of the buddha changed as it traveled but even today in shrines and sanctuaries across asia and beyond it bears traces faint but real of the greek encounter with buddhism two millennia ago if you are not a subscriber please consider joining the channel i post a new video about the ancient greeks or romans at least once a week if you would like to help me continue the work of recording and researching i encourage you to visit my patreon page and if you're trying to fill those long and desolate days between told and stone videos i urge you to check out my book naked statues fact gladiators and world offense thanks for watching
START_INTERACTION_TOKEN if you are not a subscriber please consider joining the END_INTERACTION_TOKEN BETWEEN_SEGMENTS_TOKEN START_SELFPROMO_TOKEN channel i post a new video about the ancient greeks or romans at least once a week if you would like to help me continue the work of recording and researching i encourage you to visit my patreon page and if you're trying to fill those long and desolate days between told and stone videos i urge you to check out my book naked statues fact gladiators and world offense END_SELFPROMO_TOKEN