Buddhas in the West Material Archive
@buddhasinthewest.bsky.social
Exploring the circulation of Buddhist material culture in Western historical media, including prints, photos, ephemera, &c. Digital public scholarship project curated by @peterromaskiewicz.bsky.social.
📜 #buddhasinthewest
🌟 New Posts: Mon, Wed, & Fri.
📜 #buddhasinthewest
🌟 New Posts: Mon, Wed, & Fri.
Reposted by Buddhas in the West Material Archive
Sitting atop the southern end of Mount Penn, a seven-story wooden pagoda has overlooked Reading, Pennsylvania, since 1908.
Built as part of a luxury resort, the building and land were donated to the city in 1911, making this Buddhist-inspired building a symbol of the city. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Pennsylvania
Built as part of a luxury resort, the building and land were donated to the city in 1911, making this Buddhist-inspired building a symbol of the city. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Pennsylvania
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Sitting atop the southern end of Mount Penn, a seven-story wooden pagoda has overlooked Reading, Pennsylvania, since 1908.
Built as part of a luxury resort, the building and land were donated to the city in 1911, making this Buddhist-inspired building a symbol of the city. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Pennsylvania
Built as part of a luxury resort, the building and land were donated to the city in 1911, making this Buddhist-inspired building a symbol of the city. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Pennsylvania
Sitting atop the southern end of Mount Penn, a seven-story wooden pagoda has overlooked Reading, Pennsylvania, since 1908.
Built as part of a luxury resort, the building and land were donated to the city in 1911, making this Buddhist-inspired building a symbol of the city. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Pennsylvania
Built as part of a luxury resort, the building and land were donated to the city in 1911, making this Buddhist-inspired building a symbol of the city. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Pennsylvania
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Sitting atop the southern end of Mount Penn, a seven-story wooden pagoda has overlooked Reading, Pennsylvania, since 1908.
Built as part of a luxury resort, the building and land were donated to the city in 1911, making this Buddhist-inspired building a symbol of the city. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Pennsylvania
Built as part of a luxury resort, the building and land were donated to the city in 1911, making this Buddhist-inspired building a symbol of the city. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Pennsylvania
Reposted by Buddhas in the West Material Archive
For anyone attending the #AARSBL in Boston, come see the Buddhas in the West Pop-Up Exhibit this Saturday at CGIS S050 at Harvard University.
We look at the early European depictions of the Buddha and Buddhist monks from the 1660s to 1850s.
🗃️ 📜 #Buddhasinthewest
We look at the early European depictions of the Buddha and Buddhist monks from the 1660s to 1850s.
🗃️ 📜 #Buddhasinthewest
November 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
For anyone attending the #AARSBL in Boston, come see the Buddhas in the West Pop-Up Exhibit this Saturday at CGIS S050 at Harvard University.
We look at the early European depictions of the Buddha and Buddhist monks from the 1660s to 1850s.
🗃️ 📜 #Buddhasinthewest
We look at the early European depictions of the Buddha and Buddhist monks from the 1660s to 1850s.
🗃️ 📜 #Buddhasinthewest
For anyone attending the #AARSBL in Boston, come see the Buddhas in the West Pop-Up Exhibit this Saturday at CGIS S050 at Harvard University.
We look at the early European depictions of the Buddha and Buddhist monks from the 1660s to 1850s.
🗃️ 📜 #Buddhasinthewest
We look at the early European depictions of the Buddha and Buddhist monks from the 1660s to 1850s.
🗃️ 📜 #Buddhasinthewest
November 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
For anyone attending the #AARSBL in Boston, come see the Buddhas in the West Pop-Up Exhibit this Saturday at CGIS S050 at Harvard University.
We look at the early European depictions of the Buddha and Buddhist monks from the 1660s to 1850s.
🗃️ 📜 #Buddhasinthewest
We look at the early European depictions of the Buddha and Buddhist monks from the 1660s to 1850s.
🗃️ 📜 #Buddhasinthewest
Reposted by Buddhas in the West Material Archive
By the 1890s it was possible to browse American newspapers and see advertisements for informal lectures on countries around the world.
Occupying church halls or town theaters, returning travelers often used “magic lantern” slides to illustrate their captivating travel narratives. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
Occupying church halls or town theaters, returning travelers often used “magic lantern” slides to illustrate their captivating travel narratives. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
November 17, 2025 at 9:07 PM
By the 1890s it was possible to browse American newspapers and see advertisements for informal lectures on countries around the world.
Occupying church halls or town theaters, returning travelers often used “magic lantern” slides to illustrate their captivating travel narratives. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
Occupying church halls or town theaters, returning travelers often used “magic lantern” slides to illustrate their captivating travel narratives. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
By the 1890s it was possible to browse American newspapers and see advertisements for informal lectures on countries around the world.
Occupying church halls or town theaters, returning travelers often used “magic lantern” slides to illustrate their captivating travel narratives. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
Occupying church halls or town theaters, returning travelers often used “magic lantern” slides to illustrate their captivating travel narratives. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
November 17, 2025 at 9:07 PM
By the 1890s it was possible to browse American newspapers and see advertisements for informal lectures on countries around the world.
Occupying church halls or town theaters, returning travelers often used “magic lantern” slides to illustrate their captivating travel narratives. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
Occupying church halls or town theaters, returning travelers often used “magic lantern” slides to illustrate their captivating travel narratives. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
The first 108 Buddhas in the West posts are now archived, tagged, and easy to browse! 🔍 🗺
Thank you to everyone for the support! 🙏
👉 tinyurl.com/4kmcwp87
Thank you to everyone for the support! 🙏
👉 tinyurl.com/4kmcwp87
November 16, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The first 108 Buddhas in the West posts are now archived, tagged, and easy to browse! 🔍 🗺
Thank you to everyone for the support! 🙏
👉 tinyurl.com/4kmcwp87
Thank you to everyone for the support! 🙏
👉 tinyurl.com/4kmcwp87
Reposted by Buddhas in the West Material Archive
By the early 20th century there was an unofficial race to capture a photograph of Lhasa, the religious center of Tibet.
In 1905 National Geographic printed a few of the first photos of the region and a decade later, in 1916, published a large panoramic insert of Lhasa's Potala Palace. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
In 1905 National Geographic printed a few of the first photos of the region and a decade later, in 1916, published a large panoramic insert of Lhasa's Potala Palace. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
November 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
By the early 20th century there was an unofficial race to capture a photograph of Lhasa, the religious center of Tibet.
In 1905 National Geographic printed a few of the first photos of the region and a decade later, in 1916, published a large panoramic insert of Lhasa's Potala Palace. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
In 1905 National Geographic printed a few of the first photos of the region and a decade later, in 1916, published a large panoramic insert of Lhasa's Potala Palace. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
By the early 20th century there was an unofficial race to capture a photograph of Lhasa, the religious center of Tibet.
In 1905 National Geographic printed a few of the first photos of the region and a decade later, in 1916, published a large panoramic insert of Lhasa's Potala Palace. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
In 1905 National Geographic printed a few of the first photos of the region and a decade later, in 1916, published a large panoramic insert of Lhasa's Potala Palace. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
November 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
By the early 20th century there was an unofficial race to capture a photograph of Lhasa, the religious center of Tibet.
In 1905 National Geographic printed a few of the first photos of the region and a decade later, in 1916, published a large panoramic insert of Lhasa's Potala Palace. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
In 1905 National Geographic printed a few of the first photos of the region and a decade later, in 1916, published a large panoramic insert of Lhasa's Potala Palace. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
Reposted by Buddhas in the West Material Archive
The Japanese port city of Kobe was a major tourist hub by the turn of the 20th century.
One of the city’s main attractions was a giant statue of Vairocana Buddha displayed outside the main temple gate of Shinkōji until the complex was destroyed during WWII. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan #真光寺
One of the city’s main attractions was a giant statue of Vairocana Buddha displayed outside the main temple gate of Shinkōji until the complex was destroyed during WWII. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan #真光寺
November 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The Japanese port city of Kobe was a major tourist hub by the turn of the 20th century.
One of the city’s main attractions was a giant statue of Vairocana Buddha displayed outside the main temple gate of Shinkōji until the complex was destroyed during WWII. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan #真光寺
One of the city’s main attractions was a giant statue of Vairocana Buddha displayed outside the main temple gate of Shinkōji until the complex was destroyed during WWII. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan #真光寺
November 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Reposted by Buddhas in the West Material Archive
In the 17th century, to uncover suspected Christians, Japanese authorities in Nagasaki forced commoners to step on an image of Jesus or Mary.
As knowledge of this practice spread to Europe, depictions of "treading on the crucifix," appeared in illustrated works by the 18th century. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
As knowledge of this practice spread to Europe, depictions of "treading on the crucifix," appeared in illustrated works by the 18th century. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
November 3, 2025 at 2:47 PM
In the 17th century, to uncover suspected Christians, Japanese authorities in Nagasaki forced commoners to step on an image of Jesus or Mary.
As knowledge of this practice spread to Europe, depictions of "treading on the crucifix," appeared in illustrated works by the 18th century. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
As knowledge of this practice spread to Europe, depictions of "treading on the crucifix," appeared in illustrated works by the 18th century. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
In the 17th century, to uncover suspected Christians, Japanese authorities in Nagasaki forced commoners to step on an image of Jesus or Mary.
As knowledge of this practice spread to Europe, depictions of "treading on the crucifix," appeared in illustrated works by the 18th century. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
As knowledge of this practice spread to Europe, depictions of "treading on the crucifix," appeared in illustrated works by the 18th century. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
November 3, 2025 at 2:47 PM
In the 17th century, to uncover suspected Christians, Japanese authorities in Nagasaki forced commoners to step on an image of Jesus or Mary.
As knowledge of this practice spread to Europe, depictions of "treading on the crucifix," appeared in illustrated works by the 18th century. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
As knowledge of this practice spread to Europe, depictions of "treading on the crucifix," appeared in illustrated works by the 18th century. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
Reposted by Buddhas in the West Material Archive
The first photos of Saigon, present-day Ho Chi Minh City, were taken by French naval officers during the 1858 French invasion.
The first commercial photography studios in Vietnam opened in Saigon soon afterwards, with some producing intimate views of local Buddhist temple life. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Vietnam
The first commercial photography studios in Vietnam opened in Saigon soon afterwards, with some producing intimate views of local Buddhist temple life. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Vietnam
October 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The first photos of Saigon, present-day Ho Chi Minh City, were taken by French naval officers during the 1858 French invasion.
The first commercial photography studios in Vietnam opened in Saigon soon afterwards, with some producing intimate views of local Buddhist temple life. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Vietnam
The first commercial photography studios in Vietnam opened in Saigon soon afterwards, with some producing intimate views of local Buddhist temple life. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Vietnam
The first photos of Saigon, present-day Ho Chi Minh City, were taken by French naval officers during the 1858 French invasion.
The first commercial photography studios in Vietnam opened in Saigon soon afterwards, with some producing intimate views of local Buddhist temple life. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Vietnam
The first commercial photography studios in Vietnam opened in Saigon soon afterwards, with some producing intimate views of local Buddhist temple life. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Vietnam
October 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The first photos of Saigon, present-day Ho Chi Minh City, were taken by French naval officers during the 1858 French invasion.
The first commercial photography studios in Vietnam opened in Saigon soon afterwards, with some producing intimate views of local Buddhist temple life. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Vietnam
The first commercial photography studios in Vietnam opened in Saigon soon afterwards, with some producing intimate views of local Buddhist temple life. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Vietnam
The Golden Age of Hollywood expanded the theatrical tradition of set design to create a more immersive world on screen.
Through the 1920s studio art directors built bigger sets and fine Buddhist statuary that was once purchased or borrowed was increasingly made of wood and plaster. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Hollywood
Through the 1920s studio art directors built bigger sets and fine Buddhist statuary that was once purchased or borrowed was increasingly made of wood and plaster. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Hollywood
October 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM
The Golden Age of Hollywood expanded the theatrical tradition of set design to create a more immersive world on screen.
Through the 1920s studio art directors built bigger sets and fine Buddhist statuary that was once purchased or borrowed was increasingly made of wood and plaster. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Hollywood
Through the 1920s studio art directors built bigger sets and fine Buddhist statuary that was once purchased or borrowed was increasingly made of wood and plaster. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Hollywood
By the turn of the 20th century advertising cards were sought-after collectables, often pasted alongside other printed ephemera inside scrap books.
The main visual language was the stereotype, and places like Japan were depicted as a mélange of mystery, pagodas, and odd idols. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #France #Japan
The main visual language was the stereotype, and places like Japan were depicted as a mélange of mystery, pagodas, and odd idols. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #France #Japan
October 24, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Tibetan ritual cham dances were often called "Devil Dances" by Western scholars and travelers through the turn of the 20th century.
Dressed in the ceremonial regalia of masked dance, performing monks became a popular visual motif for representing Tibetan Buddhism. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
Dressed in the ceremonial regalia of masked dance, performing monks became a popular visual motif for representing Tibetan Buddhism. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
October 22, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Tibetan ritual cham dances were often called "Devil Dances" by Western scholars and travelers through the turn of the 20th century.
Dressed in the ceremonial regalia of masked dance, performing monks became a popular visual motif for representing Tibetan Buddhism. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
Dressed in the ceremonial regalia of masked dance, performing monks became a popular visual motif for representing Tibetan Buddhism. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
The earliest stereo photographs of Japan were taken in 1859, but it was not until the late 1890s when publishers started to take a genuine commercial interest in the country.
In 1901 Benjamin Kilburn released a beautiful series of views of Japan where Buddhism played a minor role. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
In 1901 Benjamin Kilburn released a beautiful series of views of Japan where Buddhism played a minor role. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
October 20, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The earliest stereo photographs of Japan were taken in 1859, but it was not until the late 1890s when publishers started to take a genuine commercial interest in the country.
In 1901 Benjamin Kilburn released a beautiful series of views of Japan where Buddhism played a minor role. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
In 1901 Benjamin Kilburn released a beautiful series of views of Japan where Buddhism played a minor role. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
Two figures seen here in the shadows emerged in the 1920s and 30s as part of the cinematic shorthand for American Chinatowns.
One, the murderous hatchet man, can be seen in the back alley, while other is seen peering out the curio shop window: an icon of a buddha. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Chinatown
One, the murderous hatchet man, can be seen in the back alley, while other is seen peering out the curio shop window: an icon of a buddha. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Chinatown
October 17, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Two figures seen here in the shadows emerged in the 1920s and 30s as part of the cinematic shorthand for American Chinatowns.
One, the murderous hatchet man, can be seen in the back alley, while other is seen peering out the curio shop window: an icon of a buddha. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Chinatown
One, the murderous hatchet man, can be seen in the back alley, while other is seen peering out the curio shop window: an icon of a buddha. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Chinatown
Identified as a “Buddhist High Priest” and shown holding an open book, the caption and image both suggest a highly learned Sinhalese monk.
Although anonymous, we can identify him as one of the pioneers of the Buddhist revivalist movement in the 19th century, Hikkaduwe Sumangala. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #SriLanka
Although anonymous, we can identify him as one of the pioneers of the Buddhist revivalist movement in the 19th century, Hikkaduwe Sumangala. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #SriLanka
October 15, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Identified as a “Buddhist High Priest” and shown holding an open book, the caption and image both suggest a highly learned Sinhalese monk.
Although anonymous, we can identify him as one of the pioneers of the Buddhist revivalist movement in the 19th century, Hikkaduwe Sumangala. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #SriLanka
Although anonymous, we can identify him as one of the pioneers of the Buddhist revivalist movement in the 19th century, Hikkaduwe Sumangala. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #SriLanka
The Ling Long Chinese Museum in Chicago opened prior to the 1934 World's Fair hoping to draw visitors and help erase the popular view that US Chinatowns were "immoral and dangerous."
The museum housed a large altar in the rear of the main arcade to enshrine an icon of Guanyin. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Chicago
The museum housed a large altar in the rear of the main arcade to enshrine an icon of Guanyin. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Chicago
![The image depicts a colorful interior scene from the Ling Long Chinese Museum, specifically the so-called “Temple of Kung Yin” [sic]. It showcases a seated image of Guanyin on a lotus pedestal. The image is centrally positioned and surrounded by intricate ornamental pillars and panels featuring decorative patterns and red and yellow Chinese text. Two lion statues flank the pedestal, contributing to the symmetrical composition. The background includes a richly decorated wall with intricate artwork. The floor consists of multicolored tiles, adding texture to the scene.
Sort available posts on Bluesky using #Buddhasinthewest | All posts archived here: tinyurl.com/4kmcwp87 🔍 🗃️ 📜](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ftj2bmay74kldpsbikim2lnu/bafkreihsikhrtkbkir57f2nto6nypsyj65e4fnvkjvrbxhbad643x4ai64@jpeg)
October 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
The Ling Long Chinese Museum in Chicago opened prior to the 1934 World's Fair hoping to draw visitors and help erase the popular view that US Chinatowns were "immoral and dangerous."
The museum housed a large altar in the rear of the main arcade to enshrine an icon of Guanyin. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Chicago
The museum housed a large altar in the rear of the main arcade to enshrine an icon of Guanyin. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Chicago
The Taiyū-in Shrine, in Nikko, is the final resting place of shōgun Tokugawa Iemitsu, one of the "Great Unifiers" of Japan.
The compound is punctuated by several ornate gate houses, including the one here known as Yashamon for the Buddhist guardian figures protecting it. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan #夜叉門
The compound is punctuated by several ornate gate houses, including the one here known as Yashamon for the Buddhist guardian figures protecting it. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan #夜叉門
October 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Nōfuku-ji, a Buddhist temple in the port city of Kobe, Japan, was reportedly founded by the monk Saichō in 805.
A thousand years later, the colossal Hyōgo Daibutsu was built on temple grounds in 1891, but the statue did not survive beyond World War II. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
A thousand years later, the colossal Hyōgo Daibutsu was built on temple grounds in 1891, but the statue did not survive beyond World War II. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
October 8, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Nōfuku-ji, a Buddhist temple in the port city of Kobe, Japan, was reportedly founded by the monk Saichō in 805.
A thousand years later, the colossal Hyōgo Daibutsu was built on temple grounds in 1891, but the statue did not survive beyond World War II. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
A thousand years later, the colossal Hyōgo Daibutsu was built on temple grounds in 1891, but the statue did not survive beyond World War II. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
Writing in 1790, William Hurd noted the icons of Ceylon were "fantastic and monstrous," while one, "formed like a giant," was called "Buddu."
The accompanying engraving of the Buddha shows a curious bearded figure with a tall crown and sword held aloft in his right hand.🧵
🗃️ 📜 #SriLanka
The accompanying engraving of the Buddha shows a curious bearded figure with a tall crown and sword held aloft in his right hand.🧵
🗃️ 📜 #SriLanka
October 6, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Writing in 1790, William Hurd noted the icons of Ceylon were "fantastic and monstrous," while one, "formed like a giant," was called "Buddu."
The accompanying engraving of the Buddha shows a curious bearded figure with a tall crown and sword held aloft in his right hand.🧵
🗃️ 📜 #SriLanka
The accompanying engraving of the Buddha shows a curious bearded figure with a tall crown and sword held aloft in his right hand.🧵
🗃️ 📜 #SriLanka