Buddhism Central Museum, Buddhist art museum in Gyeonji-dong, South Korea
The Buddhism Central Museum displays Buddhist art from different Korean periods, including statues, paintings, and ritual objects used in religious ceremonies. The collection brings together works that span centuries of artistic and spiritual tradition.
The institution was established to preserve Buddhist artworks and renamed in 2011 to better reflect its role as a center for this religious heritage. The name change signaled a stronger commitment to representing Buddhism's importance in Korean culture.
The collection shows how Buddhism shaped artistic expression across Korean history. Walking through the galleries, you see directly how religious beliefs influenced the forms and themes that artists chose to create.
The museum is located in central Seoul and easy to reach by public transport and walking. Morning and early afternoon visits tend to be quieter, giving you more time to explore the displays at your own pace.
The museum is run by the Jogye Order, one of the main branches of Korean Buddhism, which shapes how the collection is presented and understood. This connection means the artworks function as both historical objects and living expressions of religious practice.
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