Tibet exhibits Buddhist cultural relics

[Ensapa]

Is it just me or is Tibet/China trying very hard to restore the Tibetan identity of the people in Tibet? China has been restoring temples of late, and now they are spending a lot of money to bring back Tibetan relics that were smuggled out of Tibet. While they may not be kind to protesters and people who attempt to destabilise their control over Tibet, they do seem to be making an effort to assist and help the people of Tibet. In any case, it is very encouraging news to see how China is making up to Tibet.

   
Tibet exhibits Buddhist cultural relics
Press Trust of India / Beijing July 26, 2012, 18:37

An exhibition featuring Tibetan Buddhism art works bought back from overseas collectors, including Indians, has opened in Lhasa, capital of Tibet autonomous region.

The exhibition displays 101 art works including 39 golden and bronze Buddha statues, 39 musical instruments used in Buddhist mass and 23 Thangka, a form of Tibetan silk painting that dates back to the Tibetan Tubo Kingdom more than 1000 years ago, Yeshe Puencog, curator of the exhibition, said.

"The items on display have much religious and artistic value and they indicate the close ties between Tibet and the central government," he was quoted by the state-run Xinhua news agency as saying.

The exhibits have mainly been bought back off UK, US and Indian collectors, he said.
A Shakyamuni Buddha statue on display, made in the 5th century, was first bought by a Hong Kong collector decades ago and then bought by a Beijing collector.

A huge number of cultural relics were taken overseas in the late 19th century and early 20th century after Western powers invaded Tibet.

China has invested massively in the protection of Tibetan cultural relics in recent years and many relics have returned to China due to Chinese collectors buying them from foreigners.

The exhibition is organised by the China Ethnic Minority Cultural Relics Protection Association, the Tibet regional publicity department and the Tibet Museum.

The exhibition is scheduled to last for two months in Lhasa and will then be taken to other Chinese cities.

[Jessie Fong]

Looking at it economically, having this exhibition will help draw more tourists to Tibet/China.  This translates into dollars for the government where tourism industry is concerned. 

It is not directed only at Lhasa but the exhibition will take place in various cities all over China.
It is good that the government is promoting Tibetan Buddhist relics.  This may help to win over the Tibetans.

[Klein]

I agree with ensapa. I feel that China is restoring the history of Tibet in ways that do not jeopardise National Security. Notice that the Chinese refers to the relics as "cultural" relics and NOT "Buddhist" relics. Anyhow, the Chinese government is promoting Buddhism no matter how they try to play with their words.

The following news report is extracted from www.chinanews.com
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Large amount of returned Tibetan cultural relics were exhibited at its hometown museum in Lhasa, capital of Tibet, after decades or even a hundred years' overseas vagrant living, July 25.

The exhibited 101 cultural relics are of high artistic, religious and cultural value with delicate looks, according to the exhibition planner.

The cultural relics include 39 golden and bronze Buddha statues, 39 Buddhist instruments, 23 pieces of Thangka works as well as articles of daily use for Tibetans, which are now collected by Chinese individuals or groups after buying back from Britain, the US and India.

The exhibition will last for two months in Lhasa and will be held in other Chinese cities later.
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The 11th Panchen Lama looking at the relic in the exhibition.


Monks visiting the exhibition of the cultural relics.


I think the 1st statue is a statue of Virupa!


A Shakyamuni Buddha statue made in the 5th Century displayed in the exhibition.