Unknown Artist, Shakyamuni Buddha, Myanmar (Burma), 15th century. Stone, 23 ½ x 11 ¼ x 7 in. Private Collection, California.

SACRAMENTO, CA.- According to tradition, Buddha was a spiritual being who attained enlightenment and shared his teachings, giving birth to Buddhism, a philosophy originating in Asia and practiced for centuries. In Buddha, a new exhibition on view January 31 – April 19, 2009, the Crocker Art Museum explores the differences of Buddhist belief revealed through the depiction of the Enlightened One in more than 40 objects dating from the first millennium to the modern age.

As Buddhism spread in waves across Asia, the dissemination of the historical Buddha’s teachings resulted in differences in interpretation and belief and created numerous schools of thought. When one speaks of Buddhism, it is not of a single philosophy. This exhibition demonstrates how the differences in Buddhist philosophy, context and character resulted in differing representations of the buddhas.

The exhibition brings together early Gandhara images of Buddha from Pakistan depicting the narrative of the enlightened one’s life, sculptures and paintings from China and Japan and works from the Himalayas. Such varied depictions of the buddhas reflect local styles and preferences in materials, illustrating the common characteristics of the Buddha – distended earlobes and monk’s robes. A later-era crowned Buddha from Thailand exemplifies one example of differences in his representation. The choice of imagery is also closely linked to specific schools of Buddhism. This great variety of interpretations enhances our understanding of the cultures that created such devotional objects.

A 120-page catalogue published by Pomegranate Communications with more than 75 full-color photographs will accompany the exhibition. Exhibition organizer and catalogue author Nancy Tingley, Ph.D is the adjunct curator of Asian art at the Crocker Art Museum. The book will be available in the Crocker Art Museum Store for $29.95.

Unknown maker, Cambodia, Lokesvara, Buddha, and Prajnaparamita, Bayon period, 12th-13th century. Bronze, 3 in. Private Collection, California