Introduction

Asia has witnessed the rise and fall of an untold number of civilizations. As innumerable cultures have formed, they have diffused across national boundaries, creating an unique synthesis of cultures. This blend has been deeply impressed by Buddhism, which, because of its extensive reach over both land and time, plays a key role in the cultural development of Asia.

Buddhism appeared during the fifth century B.C. in northern India. During the rule of the third century B.C. Mauryan dynasty emperor Asoka, Buddhism was gradually disseminated to other countries, spreading east to Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia, and north to China, Korea, and Japan. In the process of moving across cultures, Buddhism encountered diverse periods, lands, and people, converging and fusing together to create distinctly new forms and styles.

Buddhist bronze sculpture has been one of the most important means of transmitting Buddhism; although diminutive in scale, much could be gleaned from their small size. These objects, which both preserve the majesty of Buddhist art and represent the diversity of Asia, are manifestations of the arts and beliefs of each country. The early development of bronze casting techniques in China, established early on in China’s history, laid the foundation for and influenced the imagery of Buddhist sculpture.

After encountering Mr. Peng Kai-dong’s donation, it is our hope that these will bring to visitors the majesty of ancient ritual objects, musical instruments and Buddhist sculpture, as well as an understanding of the interconnections linking Asia’s manifold places and cultures.