Buddhist Art Bonanza
Two weekends ago, I took an excursion with my friends Miroj and David (pictured) to Artesia’s “Little India” (for lunch and some grocery shopping) and then to Pasadena’s Norton Simon Museum, where we took in their newest exhibit: “Divine Demons: Wrathful Deities of Buddhist Art”. We also snooped around their regular collection of Buddhist art, which includes many lovely, impressive pieces from various countries and time periods.
Not long before this trip, I visited the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University while staying with my friends Phil and Katy in Palo Alto. A small but stunning collection of Buddhist art is to be found there as well.
I snapped some pictures during both visits and have assembled some of the better shots below. Please enjoy!
The Norton Simon Museum
Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi. China, late 18th century. Part of the “Divine Demons: Wrathful Deities of Buddhist Art” exhibit.
A bodhisattva. Pakistan, Ancient Gandhara, 2nd-3rd century.
Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Thailand, Buriram Province, Prakhon Chai, 8th century.
Buddha Approaching the Bodhi Tree. Pakistan, Ancient Gandhara, 2nd-3rd century.
Buddha Subdues the Serpent and Converts [Mahakassapa]. Pakistan, Ancient Gandhara, 2nd-3rd century.
Buddhist devotee. Sri Lanka, Kandy period, early 18th century.
Buddhist Triad with Shakyamuni. India, Bihar, Gaya region, c. 1000.
Railing pillar [showing] a goddess and an amorous couple. India, Madhya Pradesh, Bharhut, c. 100 BCE.
Tara. Tibet, Kham region, 19th century.
Worshippers venerate the Buddha. Pakistan, Ancient Gandhara, 2nd-4th century.
Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University
Manjusri (Wenshu). Early 15th century, China, Ming dynasty.
Vairochana. China, Ming dynasty.
Head of a Buddha. Thailand, Ayutthaya period, 16th century.
Miroku Bosatsu (Bodhisattva Maitreya). Japan, Kyoho era, 1735.
Votive tablet with Buddha. Bihar, Nalanda, India, 9th century.
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