Exhibition about Buddhism origin starts at Jade Buddha Temple
Some 160 paintings, photos and calligraphy works about the origin of Buddhism in India and Nepal are exhibited at the city's Jade Buddha Temple from today.
These artworks were created by 23 famous local artists, including Chen Xiejun, former curator of Shanghai Museum, who traveled to many holy sites of Buddhism in early 2018 to get inspired for the artistic creation.
The artists followed the path of Gautama Buddha to places such as Lumbini, where the Buddha was born and Bodh Gaya where the Buddha said to have obtained enlightenment, said Yue Zhenwen, director of the Shanghai Juequn Calligraphy and Painting Academy, who led the team.
The paintings, including many sketches created on site, depicted the scenery of these religious sites in India and Nepal along with the lives of monks and people there, Yue said. They are being exhibited in the temple on Jiangning Road in Putuo District free of charge through April 28.
"The exhibition showcases the glorious historic cultures of both China and India which is expected to enhance the cultural exchanges between the two peoples," said Anil Kumar Rai, the consul general of India in Shanghai.
Many foreign tourists including a travel group from India visited the exhibition after the opening ceremony in the morning.