A photographic exhibition of Buddhist Monuments and Art Heritage covering many major Buddhist sites all over India and other Asian countries was held in Colombo (27 March-3 April) and Galle (20-23 May). High Commissioner of India, Shri Alok Prasad, inaugurated the exhibition at the Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo on 27 March and at the Town Hall in Galle on 20 May. The exhibition in Galle was organized by the India-Sri Lanka Foundation in association with the office of the Governor of Southern Province. Hon. Minister of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Hon. Minister of Agriculture of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr. Hemakumara Nanayakkara and the Governor, H.E. Mrs. Kumari Balasuriya, were present at the inaugural function in Galle.

Entitled “The Path Of Compassion”, the exhibition provides a comprehensive perspective of the monuments and art heritage of Buddhism from the earliest times and is a visual pilgrimage through the life of the Buddha, to the places of his birth, enlightenment, first sermon and final renunciation (like Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, Dhamekh Stupa at Sarnath, Sanchi Stupa, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, etc).

Buddhist sculptures and paintings are some of the gentlest and most sublime art of mankind. These are also the oldest surviving art of the historic period in the Indian subcontinent. Emperor Ashok in the 3rd century BC was the first great royal patron of Buddhism. The great stupas which he made, his commemorative pillars and sculptural railings are some of the most beautiful and oldest surviving architecture and art of the subcontinent.

The photographer Binoy K. Behl is known for his pioneering low-light photography of ancient paintings, capturing their true and luminous colours more clearly than ever done before. He is also known for his extremely sensitive photography of Buddhist art which provides a deep insight into the gentle and compassionate message of the art. From the time of Emperor Ashok onwards, Buddhism spread not only to all corners of India but also all over Asia. Sri Lanka became the centre of the earlier Theravada order of Buddhism from where the Buddhist tradition travelled to the countries of South-East Asia. The religion and the art associated with it had a transforming effect on the countries which it reached and, till today, the art heritage of Buddhism flourishes in the whole continent. The strong Buddhist link between India and Sri Lanka is best symbolized by the fact that the saplings from the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya that Rev. Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashok, planted is today the Sri Bodhi tree atAnuradhapura. And when the Great Bodhi at Bodh Gaya degenerated, it was a sapling from Anuradhapura that was used to regenerate it. Covering a wide range of the heritage of both Theravada and Mahayana-Vajrayana orders, the exhibition provides a view of the richness of the whole Buddhist tradition. This exhibition has travelled to various countries around the world. It has also been held independently by institutions in India and other countries.