Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

Tracking Siddhartha's Footprints—Celebrating International Museum Day

Text & Photos | International Affairs Department

Every year, the Buddha Museum celebrates the International Museum Day (IMD). The theme for this year’s International Museum Day is “Museums for Education and Research.” This theme underscores the pivotal role of cultural institutions in providing a holistic educational experience. This day pushes for a more conscious, sustainable, and inclusive world.

Each year from 2020, the International Museum Day supports a set of goals from the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. In 2024, the International Museum Day will focus on:

Goal 4: Quality Education – Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

For IMD 2024, the Buddha Museum uses 5 keywords starting with “M” to relate the Buddha’s life. A quiz is designed to trace the footprints of Siddhartha. This activity will lead visitors through the journey of the Buddha's life, gradually exploring from his birth, renunciation, enlightenment, teaching, to nirvana. Through the design of this activity, we hope to engage participants in an enjoyable and educational manner, allowing them to rediscover the life of Buddha. Participants who successfully complete can get a free gift!

Bathing Prince Siddhartha

Buddha Teaching the Dharma

Buddha’s renunciation

Buddha’s enlightenment