Which development in buddhism inspired indian art?

The growth of Buddhist art inspired and influenced the development of hindu art. Buddhism almost disappeared around the 10th century with the expansion of Hinduism and Islam, causing indian art to change. 

Yes, this is true!

The reason  why consciousness is controversial is that it's contradicting the laws of physics in a way- consciousness is associated with free will and free will means that the mental (our ideas) can influence the physical (the material world, out body) - and this is a controversial idea.