Question

The first image of the Buddha was carved out during the reign of ________?
a. Ashoka
b. Pushyamitra shunga
c. Kanishka I
d. Menander

Answer 1

Hint:
Gandhara School of Art and Mathura School of Art flourished during the reign of Kanishka. Gandhara School of Art is known for its first sculptural representation of Gautama Buddha in human form.


Complete solution:
The first image of Buddha was engraved during the reign of the famous Kushan king Kanishka I.

Buddhist art is the artistic practices which are influenced by Buddhism. It includes art media that portray Buddha, Bodhisattva and other entities; Notable Buddhist figures, both historical and mythological; Narrative scenes from the lives of all these; Mandal and other graphic aids to practise; Material objects associated with Buddhist practice, such as vajras, bells, stupas and Buddhist temple architecture. Buddhist art originated in the Indian subcontinent after the historical life of Siddhartha Gautama, 6th to 5th century BC and then spread to Asia and the world after coming into contact with other cultures.

Buddhist art followed the believers as religion spread, adapted, and developed in each new host country. It evolved in the north through Central Asia and East Asia to form the northern branch of Buddhist art, and in the east as Southeast Asia to form the southern branch of Buddhist art. In India, Buddhist art developed and co-developed with Hindu and Jain art, with cave temple complexes built together, each potentially influencing the other.

The Silk Road transmission of Buddhism to Central Asia, China, and eventually Korea and Japan began with a semi-mythological account of the embassy sent to the West by the Chinese emperor Ming in the 1st century AD. However, extensive contact began in the 2nd century CE, perhaps as a result of the expansion of the Kushan Empire into the Chinese territory of the Timin Basin, with the missionary efforts of Central Asian Buddhist monks to the Chinese lands. The first evangelists and translators of Buddhism into the Chinese language, such as Lokaksema, Parthian, Kushan, Sogdian, or Kuchian.


Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Note:
Many contemporary artists have used Buddhist themes. His video installations include John Connell, sculpture and Allen-Graham, notable examples in his multi-media "Time is Memory". The Network of Buddhist Organization in the UK has shown interest in identifying Buddhist practitioners in all arts. In 2005 it coordinated the UK-wide Buddhist arts festival, "A Lotus in Flower"; In 2009 it helped organize a two-day art conference, "Buddha Mind, Creative Mind". Later, a union of Buddhist artists was formed.