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Chung Tai Museum Opening – October 3, 2009 |
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Guan Yin Buddha in museum rotunda |
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Buddhist teachings have been passed down over thousands of years through Buddhist and cultural relics. In order to preserve our cultural heritage and spread Buddhism through art, Venerable Master Wei Chueh, the founding abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, has sought to open Chung Tai Museum ever since the initial construction of Chung Tai Chan Monastery. For over 20 years, the Venerable Master has not only promoted Buddhist art and spread the Buddha's teachings, but has also been instrumental in the preservation and restoration of Buddhist artifacts. With the help of faithful supporters all over the world, Chung Tai Museum held its grand opening on October 3, 2009. Many precious pieces, some previously concealed by the dust of the earth or hidden in the dark corners of history, now resurfaced under bright lights. They lead us into the great hall of Buddhist art, and plant in our minds the bodhi seeds of awareness that will bloom into full enlightenment. Nearly 200 Buddhist artifacts will be on permanent display at Chung Tai Museum. The collection consists mainly of stone, gilt bronze, and wood sculptures, including gilt bronze statues from the Chinese, Tibetan, and Southern Asian Buddhist art traditions; wood sculptures of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Heavenly Kings, Boys of Youth, and Dragon Maidens; and stone sculptures through the ages from China to overseas. Of the three types of sculpture, stone sculpture is the most prominent, with nearly a hundred pieces on display. Each piece is magnificent and full of life. The pieces in the collection range from over a thousand years old, from the time of the Gandhara period in India (c. 1st-5th century) with a stone statue of standing Bodhisattvas, to the Yuan and Ming period (1279-1643) with a sitting Arhat statue.
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