Buddhism thrived in India for over a thousand years. Discover important sites in the life of the Buddha.
Asian Art Museum
Described as a “museum of religions,” Hinduism encompasses many beliefs and accepts a pantheon of deities.
Beliefs made visible: Hindu art in South ...
Buddhism thrived in India for over a thousand years. Discover important sites in the life of the Buddha.
Beliefs made visible: Buddhist art in South ...
Siddhartha achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. Now a major pilgrimage site, it is covered in offerings.
Bodh Gaya: center of the Buddhist world
Each year, millions of pilgrims come here to worship Shiva and to bathe in the holy waters of the River Ganges.
Varanasi: sacred city
Often covered with figural sculpture, these dwelling places of the gods draw worshipers to their inner sanctuaries.
Hindu temples
Described as a “museum of religions,” Hinduism encompasses many beliefs and accepts a pantheon of deities.
Beliefs made visible: Hindu art in South ...
Cut, abrade, polish. With these three actions, Chinese artisans have been refining jade for 6000 years.
Working jade
How are statues consecrated? What role do mandalas play in meditation? Discover ritual objects of Tibetan Buddhism.
Sacred arts of Tibet
Isolated for centuries, Japan opened to trade in the 1850s, providing fresh inspiration for Western artists.
Looking east: how Japan inspired Monet, Van ...
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Ewer with lid
An inscription on the back of this sculpture identifies this as the earliest dated Buddha from China.
Seated Buddha
Often covered with figural sculpture, these dwelling places of the gods draw worshipers to their inner sanctuaries.
Hindu temples
Why were cave shrines created? Who were the patrons? What was their use? Discover these remarkable ancient sites.
Browse Smarthistory images for teaching & learning!
