Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

Blooming Wisdom: The Journey of the Buddhist Botanical Exhibition
Pic & Text | Buddha Museum International Affairs Department

On March 12, 2022, the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum held an unveiling ceremony for the Buddhist Botanical Garden on Arbor Day, marking the official completion of the world's largest Buddhist botanical garden, featuring an extensive and diverse collection of Buddhist plant species. It also presented an opportunity to kickstart preparations for the Buddhist Botanical Exhibition. In November 2022, in conjunction with the International Book Fair and Vegetarian Expo, the Museum's One Teaching Pagoda became the host venue for the Buddhist Botanical Exhibition, attracting visitors from all corners of the globe.

The process of planning and preparing the exhibition posed various challenges and demanded a great deal of creativity. Setting it apart from conventional exhibitions, the Buddhist Botanical Exhibition placed a strong emphasis on interactive experiences. By incorporating features like selfie spots, six sensory interactions, and personality test, visitors were able to forge genuine connections with the world of Buddhist plants. Moreover, almost half of the exhibits were handcrafted, showing the collective efforts of the venerables, staff and volunteers, including international volunteers from France, Italy, Germany, and the United States.


Pic | Volunteers and staff helping out with making the exhibits

Embodying Venerable Master Hsing Yun's emphasis on the educational role of the Buddha Museum, the Buddhist Botanical Exhibition has welcomed nearly 10,000 visitors from 36 countries since its launch in November of last year, including 587 students who engaged in the exhibition. The volunteers from the International Affairs Department passionately shared their knowledge of Buddhism and plants with all visitors, deepening public comprehension of Buddhism and nurturing awareness and reverence for the natural world.


Pic | Volunteer introducing the exhibition to foreign visitors

Visitors' feedbacks on the Buddhist Botanical Exhibition have been resoundingly positive, with the guestbook filled with heartfelt expressions of appreciation. Some of the comments are: "The exhibition is beautifully and authentically curated, and the guides are both knowledgeable and friendly," "This exhibition has provided me with the opportunity to learn about numerous Buddhist plants and their fascinating stories," and "The exhibition is compact yet exquisite, captivating, and highly educational".


Pic | Students playing with the exhibits

Having traversed a 10-month journey, the Buddhist Botanical Exhibition has sown a seed within the hearts of all involved, blooming into the flowers of wisdom. With the exhibition set to conclude on August 27th this year, we invite everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to visit. Meanwhile, we encourage you to stay connected with our website for further insights into the world of Buddhist plants.

Buddhist Botanical Exhibition
Dates: Now - 2023/08/27
Venue: One Teaching Pagoda
Website: https://tinyl.io/Botanic