Collection of Ryukoku Museum

In commemoration of the 370th anniversary of its foundation,　Ryukoku University opened Japan's first comprehensive Buddhism museum, the Ryukoku Museumin Kyoto.  The museum has just been launched in past April and now it is presenting a special exhibition titled "Shakyamuni and Shinran (the founder of True Pure Land School)" introducing the birth of Buddhism in India and Shinran's life and his influence in Japanese Buddhism. 

This year the museum holds one-year-long special exhibition to celebrate its opening, however, from 2012 they will develop mainly the permanent exhibition on thier collection of Buddhist art, academic resources and research findings. This parmanent exhibition focuses on three main themes such as the birth of Buddhism in India, the spread of Buddhism into Asia and the development of Buddhism in Japan. Also special and planned exhibits with select themes will be organized regularly. Through these activities, the museum aims to foster the people's interests in generic Buddhist culture as well as academic research discoveries.

Meanwhile another highlight of the museum is a full-size reproduction of Buddhist murals of the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves in Turfan (Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China). The walls and ceilings of this cave are covered with hundreds of Buddha murals which are dating from 10th to 13th centuries. But many murals have been damaged or removed over time. Digital Archives Research Center of Ryukoku university has been involved in the digital recreation of Number 15 cave murals. The exhibit displays the corridors of the Number 15 cave in their actual sizes. The corridor is approximately 3.5m high and approximately 15m long. By encountering the Buddhist murals that reappear vividly, you can enjoy an experience similar to that of actually entering the Bezeklik Cave Temples.

>>> Current Exhibition
Shakyamuni and Shinran - Commemorating Opening of the Museum and the 750th Anniversary of death of Priest Shinran
15 April 2011 - 25 March 2012
Admissions: 500 yen for Adults

Ryukoku Museum
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on Mondays
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Location: Maruyacho 117, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600－8399
Tel: 075－351－2500