Buddhist

c. 300 BCE–present

Buddhist art developed alongside the spread of Buddhism across Asia. It includes sculpture, architecture, painting, and ritual objects designed to teach, inspire devotion, and support meditation. Early art avoided depicting the Buddha directly, later evolving into iconic human representations. Style and materials vary widely by region while sharing common spiritual goals.

Guanyin Pavilion

Unknown

984

A Chinese temple hall dedicated to Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, blending architecture and spirituality.

Main hall, Nanchan Monastery

Unknown

782 (renovated later)

The oldest surviving wooden Buddhist temple hall in China, built in the Tang dynasty.

Kondō (Golden Hall), Hōryū-ji

Unknown

7th century (c. 710)

The main worship hall of one of the world’s oldest wooden temples, housing important Buddhist statues.

Buddha (cave sculpture)

Unknown

5th century AD

A carved figure of the Buddha inside a cave temple, symbolizing meditation and spiritual enlightenment.

Bimaran reliquary

Unknown

1st century AD

A small gold container decorated with images of the Buddha, used to hold sacred relics in early Buddhist practice.