Theravāda Buddhism
16 Sep 2023 - 9 Jun 2024
Gallery 3, Level 1
This thought-provoking display charts the history and influence of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition across the world, including its role in Scotland today.
The Theravāda tradition is one of the oldest forms of Buddhism. As one of the two main branches of the faith, it remains strong in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.
The display includes a Buddha on loan from The Dhammapadipa Temple in Edinburgh. The Buddha was designed and made in Thailand in 2013, then later gifted to Temple where it is now used in their garden meditation room. The image takes inspiration from the Phra Phuttha Chinnarat (Great Victorious Buddha), one of the most revered Buddha images in Thailand.
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Buddha on loan from The Dhammapadipa Temple in Edinburgh.
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The Buddha continued to meditate for seven weeks after his awakening. In the sixth week there was a rainstorm and the nāga (serpent) king Muchalinda sheltered him with his hood. Depicted here in bronze, from Sri Lanka, 11th century. (A.1901.268.41)
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Reclining Buddha, a pose which is sometimes used to depict the death of Siddhattha Gotama. Sculptures made of alabaster became popular and were made in large quantities in mid-19th Myanmar. (A.1869.17)
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Silver Buddha seated in earth witness pose. A thin sheet of silver is wrapped around a clay core, giving the illusion of a more expensive product. The more valuable the offering, the greater the puñña (merit or virtue) accrued. Myanmar, 18th-19th century. (A.1911.478)
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Small slay stūpa (reliquary), broken open to reveal an inscription inside. The Buddha’s words or teachings are also considered a relic. India, c12th century. (A.1934.31)
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Amulet commissioned by Venerable Ruay Pasathiko to raise money for the construction of a new stūpa (reliquary). Tako Temple, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, c2014. (V.2023.94)
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The Buddha holding an alms bowl, one of several different poses associated with the days of the week. This one is associated with a Wednesday and is inscribed on the base with the donor’s name. Bangkok, Thailand, 19th century. (A.1975.148)
Alongside the loan are 40 objects from the South and Southeast Asian collection, dating from the 2nd century AD to the present day. They include amulets, relics, statues, and votive offerings, all of which were and are used by Buddhists in their everyday religious practice.
A set of 19th century spinning gongs from Myanmar are also on display. Audio recordings of the gongs provide visitors with a sensory experience, representative of the sound of visiting a temple. The gongs are played by Ewan Millar, percussion student at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Theravāda Buddhism is the result of partnerships with members of the Buddhist community in Scotland and has been developed collaboratively with Edinburgh Buddhist Studies, an interdisciplinary research network at the University of Edinburgh.
Admission to the National Museum of Scotland is free, with no charge for this display and no need to book in advance to see it.
Getting here
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1JF
Access
We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit.
- There is level access to the Museum via the main doors to the Entrance Hall on Chambers Street and the Tower entrance at the corner of Chambers Street and George IV Bridge.
- Lifts are available to all floors and accessible toilets are available on Levels 0 and 3, as well as a Changing Places (U) toilet in the Entrance Hall on Level 0.
- Wheelchairs are available for loan at no charge. Please note wheelchairs cannot be booked in advance. On arrival, ask about availability at the Information Desk. Small mobility scooters are permitted inside the museum.
- There is an induction loop in the Auditorium.
- Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other recognised assistance dogs are admitted.
