The successful exhibition The Buddha – a life story and a source of inspiration is moving to the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam. In five months the exhibition in Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden has attracted more than 70.000 visitors. From 23 September this extensive exhibition about one of the most inspiring figures in world history can be seen in the Tropenmuseum.
Buddhism is hugely popular. The Netherlands alone has around 500 Buddhist centres. Everyone knows someone who has a Buddha statue at home. Why do we all fall for the portrait of the Buddha? And what do we actually know about this icon? How is Buddhism experienced worldwide nowadays? With the help of reports, impressive photos and interviews, this exhibition answers these questions.
Buddhism worldwide The Buddha exhibition is a journey to important Buddhist sites worldwide. The trip takes us through Thailand, India, Indonesia, China, Myanmar, Japan and Tibet. From centuries-old Chinese monasteries and Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal to the Indonesian Borobudur. The journey also goes through our own country. Documentaries give an impression of Buddhism in the Netherlands, the so-called Tulip Buddhism.
Unique international top items. About 100 Buddha statues can be seen in the exhibition. One of these is a Buddha statue from Nepal that the Nepalese ambassador gave to the museum in May this year. There have never been so many Buddha statues exhibited in the Tropenmuseum at the same time before. A rare Vessantara scroll, more than 35 metres long with scenes from a previous life of the Buddha, can also be seen. With other top items from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Museum für Asiatische Kunst in Berlin and the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore, for example, these objects tell the story of the Buddha’s life.
The Buddha exhibition has been partly financed by the BankGiro Lottery, the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, the Turing Foundation, the VSB Fonds and the Mondriaan Fonds.
