This dissertation is concerned with the study of the evolution of early Chinese Buddha figures that were produced over the period of Eastern Han dynasty (25 BC-220 AD) through to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The objectives of the research are: (1) to study the introduction of Buddha figures into China; (2) to study the evolution of early Chinese Buddha figures; and (3) to study the main factors that influenced the evolution of early Chinese Buddha figures.

The main aim of this research is to do crucial link period in which foreign Buddha figure evolved a distinctly Chinese style. To find out how did the Buddha figures that had been introduced into China and what were the characteristics and form of early Chinese Buddha figures during its evolution. Importantly, what factors influenced the transformation of Buddha figures that from foreign looking into figures of unique Chinese style. From the study, it has been find that:

There were two major routes of Buddha figures were introduced into China from India, one was the Silk Road and other was the Maritime Silk Road. Along with the Silk Road, when Buddha figures first occurred in Western and Eastern Central Asia were mainly influenced by Ganghara art. From the site of Kashgar in Eastern Central Asia, Buddha figures moved further east to Chang An.

Researcher also found that the official record of a Buddha figure being bought for the first time into ancient China was probably in Gandhara style, the further study of historical remains certainly proved the earliest Buddha figures was of Gandhara form in the Eastern Han period, and Buddha figure also already started evolved with Chinese culture and made by Chinese artisans. Further research found that Buddha figures evolved in different characteristics of robe style, facial features, hair style. And the evolution of early Chinese Buddha figures has divided into three main periods: 1) The evolutionary period for foreign style. 2) The evolutionary period for mixed style. And 3) the evolutionary period for Chinese style.

The attitude of emperors, local aesthetics, styles of Chinese clothing and the techniques from outside of Buddhist sphere as the external factor, and the development of the Buddhist teaching, changes in the faith expressed towards different Buddhas and the tricīvara in Mahayana Vinaya from inside of Buddhist world considered as the internal factors, both of the causes been the major factors that directly or indirectly to influence on the changes of appearance and style of early Chinese Buddha figures.

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