Curated OER
The Power of the Image: Understanding Symbols in Buddhist Art
Students discuss symbolism in art, examine various images of compassion in Buddhist tradition, analyzing components of the concept, and then produce their own images of compassion through art.
Princeton University
Princeton University Art Museum: Art of China
From the Princeton University art museum, this is a broad overview of regional and period information on Chinese art with selcted relevant works from the collection of Asian art.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Minneapolis Institute of Arts: World Religions in Art
At World Religions in Art, the world's major religions--Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism--serve as lenses through which artistic production is examined in terms of its subject matter, sources of inspiration, meaning,...
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Minneapolis Institute of Arts: The Art of Asia: Buddhism
Find out about different kinds of art inspired by Buddhism. Richly illustrated, with useful overviews of the origins of Buddhism, Buddhist sects, and similar aspects of the religion.
PBS
Pbs: Sister Wendy's American Collection: Standing Bodhisattva
Webpage describing a standing bodhisattva made in the Gandhara region of ancient Pakistan and now found in the Kimbell Art Museum. Image of art provided as well as an option of a larger version or a detail viewer that can be navigated....
Ohio State University
Huntington Archive of Buddhist and Asian Art
The Huntington Archive is a photographic collection of Buddhist and Asian art acquired by two professors of Asian Art History at Ohio State University.
Other
Silk Road Foundation: Buddhism and Its Spread Along the Silk Road
A comprehensive history of the development of Buddhism in India that also addresses its spread into China via the Silk Road, reaching its height during the Sui Dynasty.
The British Museum
The British Museum: Ancient India: The Buddha
Richly illustrated life of the Buddha, told in a click-through storybook format with an embedded glossary. Includes an interactive tour of the stupa of Amaravati, an early Buddhist shrine, and a matching game designed to instruct players...
Brown University
Brown University: Tibetan Buddhist Wall Paintings: A Photographic Survey
A survey of three Buddhist temples in the Mustang district of Tibet. Includes words of a Tibetan prayer as well as an audio file, details about Mustang, explanations of Tibetan art, and images of paintings found in the temples.
University of Chicago
University of Chicago: Art of East Asia: Xiangtangshan Cave Project
Digital database of images and information about a series of Buddhist shrines with carved sculptures hollowed out of the limestone cliffs in northeastern China.
The British Museum
British Museum: Explore World Cultures: Korea
Learn about the traditional Korean art in this historical overview and image gallery of Korean art with detailed descriptions, from the collection of the British Museum.
The British Museum
British Museum: Explore World Cultures: Ancient and Early Medieval South Asia
Learn about the art of ancient and aarly medieval South Asia in this historical overview and image gallery of Asian art with detailed descriptions, from the collection of the British Museum.
The British Museum
British Museum: Explore World Cultures: Tibet
Learn about the art of Tibet in this historical overview and image gallery with detailed descriptions, from the collection of the British Museum.
Seeker
Seeker: Week of 11 25 13: Oldest Buddha Shrine Dates Birth 6th C. b.c.
When was the Buddha, or Enlightened One, born, and when? The recent discovery of the oldest known Buddist shrine tells archaelogists more than we've ever know.
Other
Himalayan Art Resources
Older students will find this to be a fabulous resource with examples of Himalayan art. Be sure to click "Kids!" to find various activities, stories, and coloring pages for younger children. Paintings, sculptures and textiles are the...
Other
Himalayan Art Resources
Older students will find this to be a fabulous resource with examples of Himalayan art. Be sure to click "Kids!" to find various activities, stories, and coloring pages for younger children. Paintings, sculptures and textiles are the...
Princeton University
Princeton University Art Museum: Art of Korea
Princeton University art museum, this is a brief overview of the art of Korea with a selection of relevant object images from the collection.
ArtLex
Art Lex: Buddhist Art and Buddhism
A collection of Buddhist art, primarily sculpture, with short descriptions.
Buddha Dharma Education Association
Buddha Net: Buddhist Art and Architecture
Illustrated overviews of well-known Buddhist art and architecture.
PBS
Pbs: Treasures of the World: Borobudur: Pathway to Enlightenment
Series of hyperlinked pages explains the history, construction, and condition of Borobudur, a large Buddhist monument in Indonesia covered in relief carvings and free-standing sculptures of the Buddha.
PBS
Pbs Nova: Preserving Buddhist Paintings in Tibet
Follow a team of conservation experts as they work to restore and protect art within the Buddhist monasteries of Thubchen and Champa.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Timeline of Art History: Life of Buddha
Life of the Buddha told through a series of art objects. Accompanying essay clarifies episodes in the Buddha's life story.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Look for the Symbol in the Sculpture
This websites answers the question, "What is a Symbol?" Click on the sculptures for a description of the symbols in each work.
PBS
Pbs: Nova: Lost Treasures of Tibet: Deciphering Buddha Imagery
Interactive presentation explains the many ways that the Buddha is represented in art. Discusses the symbolic nature of his appearance as well as the Buddha's characteristic hand gestures, or mudras.