Dialogue 26 | November / December 2012
An introduction to the life of the Buddha and the early spread of Buddhism
Buddhism originated in Northern India during the first half of the first millennium BCE. Although once an extremely influential force in South Asia, there are today only 6.6 million Buddhists in India, out of a total population of 1.22 billion. The only majority Buddhist communities in the region are to be found in Sri Lanka. Traditionally our understanding of Buddhism has derived from two sources: ancient texts and modern practices. Today however, it is becoming increasingly clear that modern archaeology can help us explore the development and spread of Buddhism and throw new light on its impact on the religious, political and economic histories of South Asia.
This exhibition draws from the collections of Durham University’s Oriental Museum, alongside items on loan from the V&A and British Museum. The exhibition explores the Life of the Buddha - and our understanding of Buddhism - from an archaeological viewpoint. It culminates in a presentation of evidence from ongoing excavations at Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, being jointly conducted by Durham University, UNESCO, the Lumbini Development Trust and the Nepalese Department of Archaeology. Opening in January 2013 at Palace Green Library, the exhibition coincides with the screening of a National Geographic documentary on the Durham University directed UNESCO excavations at Lumbini.