It can be argued that Buddhism constitutes the bedrock of religious influence on Chinese culture. After the introduction of the religion into the country, images of selflessness, which are common in the Buddhist tradition, became dominant themes of Chinese art. Under the strong influence of Buddhism, the region’s pottery and literature started reflecting supernatural beliefs in addition to the representation of figurative views of the natural environment.
The fusion of Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist traditions, which was especially evident during the Song Dynasty, inspired Chinese poets to create countless poems reflecting the harmony of the political order with nature. Given that paintings were considered an extension of literature and were often regarded as wordless poems, there is no surprise that handscrolls, hanging scrolls, and album leafs imbued both countervailing elements of Dao and tolerant all-embracing elements of Buddhism.
Chinese music was shaped by both the political traditions of Confucianism and the philosophical traditions of Daoism. With the introduction of Buddhism, its monophonic nature was transformed by the influence of the religion that was associated with radiant energy and inner harmony. Musical instruments such as zither and pipa were used to create Buddhist music in China, which helped to express religious thoughts and feelings.