Approaching the Buddha: transmission and transformation

Abstract

"The book features 28 works spanning a range of geographic regions, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Himalayas, and East Asia. An introductory essay by Hao Sheng delves into the fundamental aspects of Buddhist sculptural tradition, with a focus on the reciprocal nature of viewing. Additional essays by curators, art historians, scholars of Asian art, and conservators offer insightful perspectives on the function of Buddhist sculpture, the history and teachings of the Buddha, how these lessons translate to the modern viewer and the groundbreaking conservation findings the Xuzhou Collection has brought to light." -- Publisher's website.

Contents

Director's foreword / Gary Tinterow -- Acknowledgments / Hao Sheng -- Collector's statement -- Approaching the Buddha : transmission and transformation / Hao Sheng -- Creating merit : art in Buddhist practice / Susan L. Huntington -- Maitreya / Donald S. Lopez -- Found in translation : early Chinese Buddhist sculpture (first century-849 CE) / Michael Knight -- Featured works -- Technical case study. A Tang dynasty hollow-core lacquer Buddha head / Donna K. Strahan -- From the twelfth century to the present, a gilded wisdom Buddha / John Twilley -- Bibliography -- Contributors.