Virtual Conversation | Light of Asia
Sri Lankan, Seated Buddha, 8th century, bronze, the Xuzhou Collection of Buddhist Art, on loan to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Light of Asia: A Conversation about Light and Buddhism
Organized through the Museum’s World Faiths Initiative, this program celebrates the newly announced long-term loan of the Xuzhou Collection of Buddhist Art to the MFAH.
The historical Buddha—Shakyamuni—is known as “the Enlightened One,” making the physical and experiential qualities of light integral to the religious practice and artistic representation of Buddhism.
In this conversation, specialists on Buddhist religion, Buddhist art, and the Western reception of Buddhism discuss the topic of Enlightenment, or Awakening.
Free / Live via Zoom
Monday, February 28, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
Program
- Hao Sheng, consulting curator of Asian art at the MFAH and specialist in Chinese Buddhist art, presents an introduction to the Xuzhou Collection.
- Todd Lewis, professor of Asian religions at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, elaborates on the significance of Light and Awakening in a Buddhist context.
- Janice Leoshko, associate professor of South and Southeast Asian art history and Buddhist art at the University of Texas at Austin, explores the American response to Buddhism and Buddhist art, with a focus on the talk “The World’s Debt to Buddha” given by Sri Lankan activist Dharmapala in 1893.
- Amy Poster, consulting curator of Asian art at the MFAH, moderates.
About the Initiative
The World Faiths Initiative highlights themes of faith, religion, and spirituality in the MFAH collections. The initiative honors the diverse communities of Houston and inspires connections among cultures and beliefs.
The World Faiths Initiative is made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.