Since the time when Alexander the Great led the Greek army to invade India, around 100 B.E. (c. 300 BCE), the impact on Buddhism was significant — but in a positive direction. After his victory in the war at northern Punjab over King Paurava (Porus, the “Lion of Punjab”), Alexander withdrew his forces back to Macedonia, splitting them into two routes: one returning by sea, the other by land. At the same time, he stationed part of his Greek troops in northern India to maintain control over the conquered territories and prevent local kings under his authority from rebelling.
In that era, the Greeks had not yet adopted Christianity. Their faith was in the ancient Greek religion, which included numerous deities. When they were stationed in northern India — where Buddhism had already spread — they became interested in the religions of India. Due to Buddhism’s many remarkable qualities, they developed deep respect for it, and many converted to Buddhism.
From around 500 B.E. onward (c. 1st century CE), they became the first people to create Buddha images for worship. Skilled in the art of stone carving and sculpting deities — a craft inherited from Macedonia — they greatly influenced the development of Greco-Buddhist art, known as Gandhara Art.
In this style, the Buddha’s face was depicted with Western features, and the human proportions (anatomy) were precise and complete. The details were exquisitely rendered — in some sculptures, even veins were visible. Personally, when I see Gandhara Buddhist art, I find it impossible to look away; it leaves a profound impression.
The Gandhara period featured many Buddha postures (mudrā), but one posture clearly reveals the link between Western (Greek) and Eastern (Indian) civilizations: the “cloak-covered” posture. In this depiction, the Buddha’s right hand bends at the elbow to grasp the edge of the robe (as shown in the picture). This posture is strikingly similar to a Greco-Roman marble carving of a woman (possibly the Virgin Mary — though I am not certain, and welcome further input from experts) standing with her right arm bent, holding the hem of her garment (also shown in the picture). The resemblance between the two is remarkable.
This posture is rarely seen in other periods of Buddhist art, apart from the Greco-Buddhist or Gandhara style. In conclusion, 2,000 years ago, the West and the East were closer than we might think.
(For more details, see Buddha Images of India by Professor Chet Tingsanchali.)
