Buddhist Arts of Asia

Enthroned Japanese Buddha Figure<br>18th Century<br>carved and gilded wood<br>Irving Dwinnel Bequest<br>AGGV 67.80 a-c

Date:

August 24, 2001 - November 25, 2001

Buddhist Arts of Asia hopes to promote an understanding of one of the world?s great religions, Buddhism. It will trace Buddhist art and investigate the styles and influences of various Buddhist countries of Asia, such as India, China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal, Cambodia, Burma and Thailand. Buddhism was founded in India by Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE), who became Buddha or ?the enlightened one?. In the centuries after his death, Buddhism spread throughout central, south and east Asia.

It developed into a great many schools, each with its own particular philosophical emphasis, which can often be seen in its art. The spread of Buddhism resulted in a vast diffusion of paintings, sculptures and ritual objects.

This exhibition will feature over 120 works from our permanent collection including stone Indian Gandharan statues, Tibetan thankas, Chinese Buddhist Hell scrolls, Japanese esoteric and Zen paintings and statuary from Southeast Asia and will tour three cities in Canada in the future.

This exhibition is funded by the Museum Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage