Conservation of Buddhist Treasures in Mustang documentary 54min

   Over at preciousteaching.org there is a documentary detailing efforts to conserve works of art in Mustang (moo-stahn), one of the last outposts of Tibetan culture. It is so isolated and protected that no Westerner set foot inside its borders for centuries. In the early 1990s, this untouched society set high in the Himalayas opened its borders for the first time, exposing an ancient world’s dazzling sacred relics long damaged by the elements and neglect.


   You can see the film here. There is loads more to see on the site so have a wander around.

Past exhibition of rock carvings of Dazu at National Museum of Wales

The steep hillsides of the Dazu world heritage site near Chongqing, China contain an exceptional series of rock carvings dating from the 9th -13th century.

   The carvings comprise some 50,000 figures in total. They are remarkable for their aesthetic quality, rich diversity of subject matter, both secular and religious, and the light that they shed on everyday life in China during this period.

   The exhibition provided a unique opportunity to see some of these sculptures, which had never before been seen outside China.

   From Steep Hillsides: Ancient Rock Carvings from Dazu, China contained superb examples that have become detached from their original setting, along with accurate replicas of some of the most important sculptures still in situ and dramatic large-scale images to give some idea of what it is like to visit these spectacular places.

   Whilst the rock carvings have now returned to China there are links to photos and other stuff here.

Treasures of Afghanistan at the British Museum until July 3rd

   Afghanistan - Crossroads of the Ancient World exhibition at the British Museum, Gt Russell St, London, displays over 200 stunning objects ranging from Hellenistic Greek sculptures, enamelled Roman glass and polished stone tableware brought from Egypt, and delicate inlaid gold personal ornaments worn by the nomadic elite. Together they showcase the trading and cultural connections of Afghanistan and how it benefited from being on an important crossroads of the ancient world.

   In addition to the exhibition of objects loaned by the National Museum of Afghanistan, twenty fragments of intricately carved and coloured ivory inlays will be going on public display for the first time since the outbreak of war in Afghanistan in 1979. The ivories from the ancient city of Begram were stolen during the looting of the National Museum of Afghanistan between 1992 and 1994 but were recently identified and salvaged abroad and are now being returned to Afghanistan. They represent about 10% of those looted. These beautiful pieces are among Afghanistan’s most famous collections. They date from the 1st century AD and are the centrepiece of a section highlighting current projects to safeguard and promote cultural heritage in Afghanistan.

Indian ivory furniture support from Begram, 1st century AD

   Also to be returned to Kabul after the exhibition will be a four foot high stone Buddha dating to the 2nd or 3rd Century AD depicting the miracle of Shravasti stolen around 1990.

   The full article with opening times and prices can be seen here.

Honen Shonin Exhibition at Kyoto National Museum until May 8th

   Honen (1133-1212), the founder of the Pure Land Sect, Jodo Shu, taught the nenbutsu, or chanting the Name of Amitabha Buddha, Namu Amida Butsu, for the salvation of all people in the late Heian period (794-1185). This exhibition commemorates 800 years since the passing of this Buddhist master by presenting his life and teachings through various cultural objects.

   Images from the exhibition can be seen here. Also, on the General Information page there is a list of temples in Kyoto which you can google.

Threat to Buddhist relics at Mes Aynak by Chinese mining company

Attempts are being made to recover Buddhist statues from the monastery at Mes Aynak in Afghanistan before a Chinese mining company moves in to turn the site into an open-cast copper mine. The full article in The Art Newspaper can be seen here.