Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

Unveiling a Millennium of Silk Road Magnificence: Debut Dunhuang Cave Art Exhibition in Taiwan

In a meticulously choreographed collaboration, the 'Silk Road Splendor – Dunhuang Cave Art Exhibition,' spearheaded jointly by the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum and the Dunhuang Academy, is poised to faithfully recreate the essence embedded in three caves and seven murals hailing from Dunhuang's illustrious Mogao Grottoes. Leveraging cutting-edge 3D technology, the Dunhuang Academy has achieved a commendable feat with the precise replication of the "Central Pillar Cave," making its debut on Taiwanese soil. This landmark exhibition unfolds an array of over a hundred artifacts, embarking on a remarkable journey that spans an impressive 4,400 kilometers for its inaugural showcase in Taiwan. Mark your calendars for the grand revelation on December 16th at the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, providing the public with an immersive encounter with this extraordinary, once-in-a-century event, and all this at no cost for an engaging four-month exhibition.

Since the days of the Han Dynasty in the 1st century CE, Dunhuang has been a crucial intersection for trade routes, playing a pivotal role on the renowned Silk Road connecting Asia and Europe. The story of Dunhuang Caves unfolds with a monk named Yuezun, prominently recorded on the "Great Zhou Li Jun Mogao Cave Buddha Niche Stele" during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian in 366 CE. On Yuezun's pilgrimage, he witnessed a divine spectacle, images of a thousand Buddhas gleaming at the base of Mingsha Mountain. Inspired by this encounter, he carved the inaugural cave into the rock surface, giving rise to the spectacular Dunhuang Grottoes.

Thanks to its unique geographical position, the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang became a cultural melting pot, absorbing influences from Western art. This fusion led to a distinctive three-dimensional artistic style, seamlessly blending architecture, sculpture, and murals in the traditional Han and Jin styles. The outcome is a remarkable blend, creating a visual narrative that reflects the historical interplay of artistic forms in Dunhuang's cultural panorama.

During the turn of the millennium, Indian Buddhism spread along the Silk Road, passing through Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the vast regions of the northern and southern Taklamakan Desert. Its journey ended in the Western Regions and continued further east, impacting Korea and Japan. This journey led to a flourishing era of Buddhist art in Dunhuang, cementing its position as the global hub for the most extensive, ancient, well-preserved, content-rich, and artistically exquisite collection of Buddhist art. Although the primary theme of Dunhuang Cave art is Buddhism, the artistic elements used to convey Buddhist teachings are rooted in everyday life. The artistic representations displayed contemporary architectural forms, clothing and accessories, societal traditions, agricultural and industrial practices, and up-to-date depictions of fishing, hunting, and herding. This collection is an invaluable cultural archive that provides insights into ancient social life and the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures within art history.

According to Venerable Ru Chang, the Director of the Buddha Museum, the planning of this exhibition has taken years. The preciousness of these cultural relics and the difficulty in setting up the exhibition presented significant challenges, especially with the installations of the replicas of the Central Pillar Cave, Cave 45, Cave 432, seven caissons, and the multimedia displays for Mount Wutai. These aspects were exceptionally challenging but offered tremendous visual appeal. All exhibited artifacts were shipped from Tianjin in mid-November, enduring challenges such as heavy sea fog during the voyage. Fortunately, everything proceeded smoothly and safely. After nearly two weeks of assembly and setup, the exhibition is now splendidly open as scheduled.

In a dedicated effort to enhance the visitor experience, the Buddha Museum initiated an intensive volunteer docent training program starting in November. Guided by Director Venerable Ru Chang, the training actively involved Su Bomin, President of Dunhuang Academy, Zhang Yuanlin, Vice President and Researcher of Dunhuang Academy, and established docents from Dunhuang Academy. This collaborative initiative aims to ensure that, during the exhibition, visitors can engage in additional activities such as Dunhuang mural copying experiences, captivating "The Perfect Night of Dunhuang" performances, and specialized lectures. The Buddha Museum offers a complete artistic experience specifically designed for families.

The Silk Road Splendor: Dunhuang Caves Art Exhibition unfolds from December 16, 2023, to April 21, 2024, captivating audiences in the Galleries 1 and 2 of the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum.

Silk Road Splendor: Dunhuang Caves Art Exhibition 

Dates: December 16, 2023 (Saturday) - April 21, 2024 (Sunday) 

Venue: Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, Galleries 1 & 2

URL: https://www.fgsbmc.org.tw/en/exhibition.aspx?serno=149