On the Nalanda Trail

Nobody likes to visit museum, especially Singaporean, not to mention paying a small fee to enter the museum. However, till to my recent volunteer work with KMSPK, I have a great opportunity to be part of the volunteer program as a museum guide with Asia Civilization Museum (ACM). I'm elated to tell you museum aren't always that boring.

This exhibition aims to showcase the spread of Buddhism from its birthplace in India to China and Southeast Asia. It is told through the amazing journeys of well travelled Chinese monks (Fa Hsien, Xuanzang and Yi Jing).

These great monks braved peril and uncertainty to travel from China through Central Asia via the Silk Road to India, in search of Buddha’s teachings. In the exhibition, this trail is illustrated through Buddhist art from these regions, which the monks pass on their way to Nalanda. This also offers the visitor a glimpse of the variety of styles that Buddhist art took on as it travelled through Asia.

Key highlights of the exhibition are the bone relics of Buddha and a stunning display of Buddhist art, including rare paintings from Dunhuang

On The Nalanda Trail: Buddhism in India, China and Southeast Asia will be on show at the Asian Civilisations Museum from now till 23 March 2008. For a free guided tour, please refer to the poster above. See you there!