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Buddhist Asia Gallery

Statue of Avalokitesvara, Tibet, 18th Century, Brass, H. 53 cm. Penn Museum Object 85-28-5. With 1,000 arms and eleven heads, Avalokitesvara is known for his compassion and efforts to help all beings that strive toward nirvana, or enlightenment. Inside each hand is an eye with which to view the world around him. Avalokitesvara is a bodhisattva. Unlike a Buddha, a bodhisattva continues to stay on earth after reaching enlightenment and is reborn to help others reach nirvana. When Avalokitesvara realized the extent of human suffering, he was granted eleven heads with which to hear their problems and 1,000 arms with which to help them. In China and Japan he is often depicted in a feminine form known as Guanyin or Kannon.The Buddhist Asia Gallery currently on display in the Museum’s Pepper Hall, traces Buddhism from its origins in India through its development along ancient land and sea routes leading into central Asia, and flowing through Southeast Asia, Tibet, China, and Japan. Consisting of text panels, photographs, and a rich display of more than 130 artifacts culled from the Museum's own collection, the exhibition illustrates Buddhism’s interaction and exchange with cultures throughout Asia highlighting the different expressions of faith that Buddhism inherited along its journey to becoming one of the world’s largest religions.

Statue, Ancient Gandhara, modern Pakistan/Afghanistan, 2nd Century AD, Schist, H. 112 c m, Penn Museum Object 26-68-1. This haloed Buddha stands on a plinth carved with two rosettes. His missing hands would have been held in mudras or hand gestures representing reassurance and wish fulfillment. Buddhism in India and Central Asia
Beginning with perspectives on the origins of Buddhism, the India section includes some of the earliest examples of Buddha's image. Gandharan heads representing the historical Buddha from a region in modern Pakistan, and bas relief fragments date as early as the 2nd century CE  The small section of Central Asia uses frescoes and photographs to illustrate the movement of Buddhism out of India towards China.


Manuscript, Thailand, 19th Century,Tree bark paper and pigment, H. 14 cm, Penn Museum 77-5-5. This manuscript recounts, with text and illustrations, ten Jataka Tales, the stories of the ten previous lives of the Buddha.Buddhism in Southeast Asia
The Southeast Asian section illustrates the "Three Jewels" of Buddhism: The Buddha (the Enlightened One, also referred to as Sakyamuni, the Historical Buddha; the Dharma (Buddhist Law, Truth, Doctrine); and the Sangha (the community of monks and nuns). On display are a monk's robe, a begging bowl, statuary, and precious manuscripts.

Brass Sculpture of Eight-Armed Vajrasattva with Consort, Nepal, 19th Century, Gilt bronze, H. 21.9 cm, Penn Museum Object A1114. The bodhisattva Vajrasattva, shown here with consort, is a popular deity in Tantric Buddhism. He holds his two attributes: a vajra in his lowest right hand and a bell in his lowest left hand. The union of these two objects together symbolizes supreme truth. This piece was included in notes published by “Dousand Up”, a Tibetan lama, who helped decipher the complex iconography for its collector, Alexander Scott.Buddhism in Tibet
The section on Tibet displays items from daily religious life, such as prayer wheels, musical instruments, religious paintings, small statuettes, tea cups, and a butter lamp. Less familiar items include phurpas, ritual daggers used for exorcising evil spirits and vajras a ritual implement used by monks during ceremonies.

Statue of Avalokitesvara, Tibet, 18th Century, Brass, H. 53 cm. Penn Museum Object 85-28-5. With 1,000 arms and eleven heads, Avalokitesvara is known for his compassion and efforts to help all beings that strive toward nirvana, or enlightenment. Inside each hand is an eye with which to view the world around him. Avalokitesvara is a bodhisattva. Unlike a Buddha, a bodhisattva continues to stay on earth after reaching enlightenment and is reborn to help others reach nirvana. When Avalokitesvara realized the extent of human suffering, he was granted eleven heads with which to hear their problems and 1,000 arms with which to help them. In China and Japan he is often depicted in a feminine form known as Guanyin or Kannon.Buddhism in China
The branch of Buddhism that spread into China and Japan over land, along the ancient trade roads known as the Silk Routes, was Mahayana Buddhism (the Great Vehicle). Mahayana Buddhism grew out of a shift in emphasis from the individual to universal salvation. This sect elaborated on the idea of a Bodhisattva, an Enlightened Being who postpones final Buddha hood in order to save all sentient beings.  A beautiful gold, gilt Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, illustrates the artistic heights reached during the 6th century CE in China, an important period in the development of Buddhism.  The small sculpture and paintings in the China section serve as an introduction to the Buddhist works of art on display in the Chinese Rotunda.

Statue of Fudo, Japan, Wakayama prefecture, 19th Century, Wood with black, red and gold lacquer, H. 1.45 m, Penn Museum Object 29-96-346. This statue of Fudo, one of the Myo-o (Knowledge Kings), sits in the midst of fire symbolizing invulnerability. Also known as the immovable one, he is a part of a fierce class of protective deities who form an important category in Shingon Buddhist art. Often depicted holding a lasso and vajra hilted sword, the statue was secured by Maxwell Sommerville from a temple on Mount Koya in Japan.Buddhism in Japan
Japanese Buddhism is represented by a wide variety of pieces, ranging from a spectacular black, red, and gold lacquered sculpture of Fudo, the fiercest of the deities who combat evil, to exquisite paintings on silk.  An altar based on those in the Shingon Buddhist tradition, provides a grand centerpiece for the section. A seated gilt Buddha, accompanied by his two attending Bodhisattvas (Fugen, who rides an elephant, and Monju, who rides a lion), occupies the altar. These figures are surrounded by hanging ornaments, lanterns, and a table replete with offerings.