Lacquer Art and Buddhism: Cultural Trophallaxis and Their Aesthetic Commonality

Abstract

Originating in the categories of "ideas and beliefs" and "artifacts" respectively, Buddhism and lacquer art belong to two cultural fields with little overlap, but they have forged an indissoluble bond with each other in the long history of evolution. Lacquer art gives Chinese Buddhist culture colorful charm, while Chinese Buddhist culture nurtures the profound verve of lacquer art. In the process of trophallaxis and collision, Chinese lacquer and Buddhism have proved to have commonality in cultural pedigree and consistent aesthetic orientation.