The Art of Buddhism Book of Postcards

In the 2,500 years since the wandering Indian renunciate Siddhartha Gautama sat under a tree and obtained enlightenment, the religion his teachings engendered has spread throughout all the regions of Asia. Buddhism has given birth to many local variants and resulted in distinctive expressions within each culture where it has been received. Despite these variations, Buddhism generally urges a life of kindness, nonviolence, and striving toward transcendental wisdom by such means as mindfulness and meditation. Buddhism’s artistic heritage is also diverse, as this selection from the renowned collection of San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum indicates; still, it is possible to sense the underlying spirit of Buddhism emerging from works that otherwise share few elements. Together, these masterpieces suggest the range and depth of Buddhist art.