The museum features some 150 Buddhist works of art ranging from the 5th through the 20th centuries. Most of them are gilt bronze sculptures emitting golden luster under muted lamps and a somber background. The museum hosts a special exhibition of Buddha figurines from Tibetan and Mongolian regions and many of them were made under imperial edicts.

Selected Works of Ancient Buddhist Statues

Buddhism is a cultural phenomenon, and Buddhist imagery is an important component of Buddhist culture. After its introduction into China, as it merged and evolved within various Chinese ethnic cultures over a period of more than 2,000 years, Buddhist imagery gradually lost its Indian flavor. A new artistic form that characterized Chinese culture emerged and became an important part of the Chinese traditional culture. Read more...

See more Buddhist sculptures, please visit: Buddhist art in China's Museums

(China.org.cn November 30, 2007)