Ten Precepts of Buddhism
Having lived in the US for eight years, Chinese photographer Cheng Gong has created Ten Precepts of Buddhism – a series of images reflecting on the conflict between Eastern and Western cultures. By mixing Chinese food culture with Buddhist symbolism against a Western backdrop, Cheng creates complex scenes with a provocative visual language that demand us to pay attention to the details.
Text and Photography Cheng Gong
No Killing
As an Asian who lives in a Western country, I found that I have not changed my habits or Chinese concepts much, even though I have been in the United States for more than eight years.
However, some of my concepts or behaviours have been influenced by Western cultures. And I found that it is not just my personal issue but a social issue in Western society.
My project explores the conflicts between Eastern and Western culture in large scale photographs that represent the ten precepts of Buddhism, which reflect my particular experiences and interpretations of them.
No Stealing
Chinese food and objects are featured in this series of work, but the context for and backgrounds in the work is Western in style. There are a number of reasons why I mainly use Chinese food as objects in the photos. First of all, some Western people may have a bias about Chinese food, they think it is cheap and disgusting. Actually, some of the organs, such as kidneys, livers, hearts are cheap in China because they used to be the food of the poor, who could not afford meat in the past. However, even though those organs and meat are still cheap now, they are popular for most Chinese people. I want to feature that food in my own way and to make it not only look beautiful but also to show its importance to Chinese people. Secondly, since the meat is forbidden in Buddhism, and my photos are presenting opposite sides of the ten precepts, food offers another level of contradiction and conflict in my work. That is the reason why most of the Buddha heads are facing the other way in my photographs. I imitate the old Dutch oil painting style for this series of photographs. However, the main objects are Chinese in style, thus creating an awkward atmosphere for this work. I want my work to look beautiful at first appearance but weird when looking at more carefully. And then the viewers may think much more than what they see from these photographs.
Overall, my work is not only about Buddhism, but more about the differences between the Eastern culture and the Western culture, and the differences between religions are also addressed.
No Improper Sexual Behaviours
“I want my work to look beautiful at first appearance but weird when looking at more carefully.”
No False Speech
No Drinking
“My project explores the conflicts between Eastern and Western culture.”
No Food After Noon
No Adoring Oneself with Garlands, Perfumes and Ointments
No Watching of Dancing, Singing and Shows
No Use of High and Broad Bed
No receiving of Gold and Silver
About Cheng Gong
Cheng was born in Hunan, China. He received Bachelor degree in Environmental Art of Design from Donghua University, Shanghai in 2012 and a Master degree in Project Management from Northeastern University, Boston in 2016. He also holds a Master degree in Photography, video and related media from the School of Visual Arts, New York, 2019. Cheng now lives and works in New York City.
To see more of his work, visit his website
READ NEXT
