Convenors: Kantikumar Pawar (India), Kim Yongjun (South Korea) and Harsh Ranjan Kumar (India)
Buddhism’s expansion across Asia profoundly influenced regional cultures, societies, and artistic traditions from ancient times to the present. Originating in India, the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) spread widely across Central, East, and Southeast Asia, facilitated by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka’s patronage in the 3rd century BCE. This dissemination catalysed unique adaptations as Buddhism integrated with local customs, languages, and religious beliefs in regions such as Sri Lanka, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. As Buddhism traversed diverse landscapes, distinct architectural forms emerged. The stupa, monasteries, and cave temples became central to Buddhist worship and community life, with monumental sites such as India’s Sanchi and Ajanta, China’s Longmen Grottoes, and Indonesia’s Borobudur illustrating regional styles and religious significance. Buddhist art, ranging from the Greco-Roman-influenced Gandhara sculptures to the Indigenous styles of Mathura, evolved to depict Buddha’s life, teachings, and cosmological themes, fostering rich traditions of sculpture, painting, and iconography. The religion’s influence also extended into societal structures, shaping philosophical, ethical, and educational frameworks. Monastic institutions like Nalanda in India and Shaolin in China emerged as centres of learning, while inscriptions, royal patronage, and trade facilitated Buddhist ideas of social integration and economic support across Asia. Buddhist archaeology and art history reveal a dynamic interplay between religion, society, and regional identity, showcasing how Buddhism transformed and was transformed by the cultures it encountered. The ongoing study of these sites and artefacts continues to illuminate the intricate ways Buddhism impacted Asian society and heritage.
We welcome sessions relating to this theme that highlight regional adaptations and Influence in Central Asia and East Asia, Buddhist art and iconography across Asia, architectural forms in Buddhism: stupas, monasteries, and cave temples, Buddhism’s societal impact and integration in local cultures, challenges in Buddhist archaeology and heritage conservation, and reflection on Buddhism’s lasting legacy. Sessions can be tailored through exploration of Buddhism’s historical journey and its deep cultural impact across Asia.
Contacts:
Dr Kantikumar Pawar
Coordinator, Bihar Heritage Development Society, Dept of Art, Culture and Youth, Government of Bihar, Patna, India
kantipawar@gmail.com
Dr Kim Yongjun
Research Professor
Institute of Cultural Heritage,
Korea University, Sejong, South Korea
akedmina@naver.com
Dr Harsh Ranjan Kumar
Assistant Archaeologist
Directorate of Archaeology
Dept of Art, Culture and Youth, Government of Bihar, Patna, India
harshnalanda@gmail.com
THEME 21 SESSIONS
T21/Session 01: Buddhist Art of Asia and Transformations [This session is now closed]
T21/Session 02: Archaeology of Buddhism [This session is now closed]