BUDDHISM GALLERY
“Buddhism: History and Diversity of a Great Tradition” traces Buddhism from its origins in India, through its development along ancient land and sea routes into Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet, China, and Japan. The exhibition illustrates Buddhism’s interaction and exchange with cultures throughout the world, highlighting the different expressions of faith that Buddhism inherited along its journey to becoming one of the world’s largest religions.
The India section includes some of the earliest examples of the Buddha's image. Figural depictions of the historical Buddha were not constructed until hundreds of years after his death. Until then, only symbols such as footprints or an empty throne represented the presence of the Buddha. Notice how some of these sculptures have distinct iconographic features including flowing robes and wavy hair. These elements come from the melding of Indian Buddhism with the artistic traditions of Greece and Rome.
The Southeast Asian section illustrates the "Three Jewels" of Buddhism: The Buddha, the enlightened one, the Dharma, or the Buddhist Law, and the Sangha* the community of monks and nuns who further the Buddha’s teachings and practices. Many of the objects present are still made and used by monks and nuns today.
The section on Tibet displays items from daily religious life including those utilized for meditation and religious ceremonies.
Buddhism spread into China and Japan along the Silk Route and grew out of a shift in emphasis from the individual to universal salvation. The sections dedicated to these areas reveal an emphasis placed on the Bodhisattva, an Enlightened Being who postpones final Buddhahood in order to save all sentient beings.
No one exhibit can ever capture the entire essence of one religion, but here you see a range of objects of the highest artistic achievement, as well as utilitarian objects used by laypersons and practitioners of the religion. The Buddhism gallery at the Penn Museum is therefore a perfect introduction to the many treasures that await the person interested in studying its long and complex history.
“Buddhism: History and Diversity of a Great Tradition” traces Buddhism from its origins in India, through its development along ancient land and sea routes into Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet, China, and Japan. The exhibition illustrates Buddhism’s interaction and exchange with cultures throughout the world, highlighting the different expressions of faith that Buddhism inherited along its journey to becoming one of the world’s largest religions.
The India section includes some of the earliest examples of the Buddha's image. Figural depictions of the historical Buddha were not constructed until hundreds of years after his death. Until then, only symbols such as footprints or an empty throne represented the presence of the Buddha. Notice how some of these sculptures have distinct iconographic features including flowing robes and wavy hair. These elements come from the melding of Indian Buddhism with the artistic traditions of Greece and Rome.
The Southeast Asian section illustrates the "Three Jewels" of Buddhism: The Buddha, the enlightened one, the Dharma, or the Buddhist Law, and the Sangha* the community of monks and nuns who further the Buddha’s teachings and practices. Many of the objects present are still made and used by monks and nuns today.
The section on Tibet displays items from daily religious life including those utilized for meditation and religious ceremonies.
Buddhism spread into China and Japan along the Silk Route and grew out of a shift in emphasis from the individual to universal salvation. The sections dedicated to these areas reveal an emphasis placed on the Bodhisattva, an Enlightened Being who postpones final Buddhahood in order to save all sentient beings.
No one exhibit can ever capture the entire essence of one religion, but here you see a range of objects of the highest artistic achievement, as well as utilitarian objects used by laypersons and practitioners of the religion. The Buddhism gallery at the Penn Museum is therefore a perfect introduction to the many treasures that await the person interested in studying its long and complex history.
The India section includes some of the earliest examples of the Buddha's image. Figural depictions of the historical Buddha were not constructed until hundreds of years after his death. Until then, only symbols such as footprints or an empty throne represented the presence of the Buddha. Notice how some of these sculptures have distinct iconographic features including flowing robes and wavy hair. These elements come from the melding of Indian Buddhism with the artistic traditions of Greece and Rome.
The Southeast Asian section illustrates the "Three Jewels" of Buddhism: The Buddha, the enlightened one, the Dharma, or the Buddhist Law, and the Sangha* the community of monks and nuns who further the Buddha’s teachings and practices. Many of the objects present are still made and used by monks and nuns today.
The section on Tibet displays items from daily religious life including those utilized for meditation and religious ceremonies.
Buddhism spread into China and Japan along the Silk Route and grew out of a shift in emphasis from the individual to universal salvation. The sections dedicated to these areas reveal an emphasis placed on the Bodhisattva, an Enlightened Being who postpones final Buddhahood in order to save all sentient beings.
No one exhibit can ever capture the entire essence of one religion, but here you see a range of objects of the highest artistic achievement, as well as utilitarian objects used by laypersons and practitioners of the religion. The Buddhism gallery at the Penn Museum is therefore a perfect introduction to the many treasures that await the person interested in studying its long and complex history.
