Introduction to Japanese Buddhist Art

Comprehensive Unit88 pagesGrade Level: Middle School – High SchoolIncludes curriculum unit + CD-ROM + Daruma doll Today, Buddhism is a major cultural force throughout Asia and even in the West. Buddhism is frequently mentioned in the news and media, whether in politics (Dalai Lama and Tibet), community (a new Buddhist meditation center in the neighborhood), travel (getaways to Southeast Asia), or the arts (the calm Zen interiors). Buddhism has shaped the government, culture, and society of different Asian countries for centuries. Understanding Buddhism then, can be a conduit to understanding Asia, as well as the large Buddhist communities that live outside of Asia. An Introduction to Japanese Buddhist Art introduces students to expressions of Buddhism in art in the Japanese context. Lessons on art history, Buddhism, religious institutions, and curatorial practices encourage students, with examples of Buddhist art, to see objects in more ways than one and to realize that looking a