EXHIBITION OVERVIEW

Many figures of peace, compassion and nonviolence have emerged from India, a great civilization steeped in spirituality. Drawing from the engaged philosophy of Gautama Buddha (Shakyamuni), Ashoka the Great established one of the largest, most diverse states the world had ever witnessed under his philanthropic rule some 2,300 years ago. In the 20th century, Mahatma Gandhi carried forward Ashoka’s legacy, as did the first prime minister of newly independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Thus, “The Healing Touch” provided by these three giants is a particularly apropos title for this special exhibition, which featured some 300 ancient sculptures, relics and materials that convey their spirit of humanism and the grandeur of Indian culture.