The Gandhara Civilization, which flourished in today’s northwest Pakistan and Afghanistan, maintained a close relationship with China from the 1st century to the 7th century. In particular, it played important roles in the introduction of Buddhism to China. Chinese acceptance of Gandhara cultural elements broadly reshaped its worlds of religions, culture and art. Buddhist texts written with Kharosthi scripts brought Buddhist religions and literature to China. The ideas from Gandhara provided Chinese rulers alternative political ideologies and legitimating means. Gandhara art promoted the appearance of new art forms and story themes in early medieval China. This illustrates the cosmopolitan openness and tolerance of Chinese civilization, which is another important reason for its longevity.
