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Approaching the Buddha

Transmission and Transformation
By Hao Sheng
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Brief Description
Through images of 28 sculptures created over the course of 15 centuries, this book sheds light on how different cultures have depicted the Buddha over time. Approaching the Buddha: Transmission and Transformation highlights works from the Xuzhou Collection of Buddhist Art, a private collection of masterpieces... Read More
Format: Hardback
$8200
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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Through images of 28 sculptures created over the course of 15 centuries, this book sheds light on how different cultures have depicted the Buddha over time.

Approaching the Buddha: Transmission and Transformation highlights works from the Xuzhou Collection of Buddhist Art, a private collection of masterpieces from major Buddhist cultures across the Asian continent. These works tell the life story of the historical Buddha and convey essential tenets of his teaching. The sculptures are recognised as vehicles for enlightenment, and they embody Buddhist insights that remain relevant and valuable in today's world.

The book features 28 works spanning a range of geographic regions: South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Himalayas, and East Asia. An introductory essay by Hao Sheng delves into the fundamental aspects of the Buddhist sculptural tradition, with a focus on the reciprocal nature of viewing. Additional essays by curators, art historians, scholars of Asian art, and conservators offer insightful perspectives on the function of Buddhist sculpture, the history and teachings of the Buddha, how these lessons translate to the modern viewer, and the groundbreaking conservation findings the Xuzhou Collection has brought to light.

Distributed for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Exhibition Schedule:

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
(March 8–May 17, 2026)

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300286427

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 26 May 2026

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Illustration: 90 color illus.

Contributors:

  • Contributions by Jane Casey
  • Contributions by Donna K. Strahan
  • Contributions by Karen Hwang
  • Contributions by Susan L. Huntington
  • Contributions by David Weldon
  • Contributions by Michael Knight
  • Contributions by John Twilley
  • Contributions by Donald S. Lopez

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 229.0mm

Height: 279.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 128

Collections

Arts & Culture Asian History Hao Sheng History & Archaeology History & Military Non-Fiction

About the Author

Hao Sheng is the consulting curator of Asian art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

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