The National Museum of China is showcasing its collection of Buddhist art in Beijing. Artwork representing Tibetan Buddhism is a major part of the collection. [Photo by Lin Qi/China Daily]

Buddhism came to China from India roughly 2,000 years ago.

The exhibition shows the most distinctive features of sculptural representations from different dynasties in China and also the maturity of various crafts used to create such works of art. It reflects the extensive cultural exchanges between the Middle Kingdom and other civilizations through the spread of Buddhism, which further enriched the Chinese civilization.

The exhibition begins by introducing the diversity of bronze figures in Buddhism from the ancient Indian subcontinent. Specimens on display cover notable schools of art such as the Gandhara, Mathura and Gupta styles.

"This section traces ancient Chinese Buddhist art to its origin," Tong says, "helping the audience, especially those who are unfamiliar with the field, to have some basic idea before they move on to the development of that art afterward in China."