Dharma Realms: Buddhist Art Across Asia

ACCOMPANYING BOOK: Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art Across Asia

Realms of the Dharma (LACMA book)

There's a hardcover book, released July 1, 2025, by Editors Tushara Bindu Gude and Stephen Little and a foreword by Michael Govan. It has 5 out of 5 stars with one (1) rating.

It is a remarkable selection of pan-Asian Buddhist art, showcasing the history and diversity of Buddhist schools with examples across sculptures, textiles, reliquaries, manuscripts, and more.

• Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art Across Asia (2025 LACMA exhibit)

Buddhist Tibet (LACMA)

Published with LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), this gloriously illustrated celebration of Buddhist art addresses the development of Buddhism and its visual language over a period of nearly 2,000 years, as the Teaching (Dharma) traveled across Asia and was embraced by diverse cultures.

Realms of the Dharma brings together more than 200 works of Buddhist art from India, mainland and island Southeast Asia, the Himalayas, Central Asia, and East Asia.

Buddhist Japan (LACMA)

The book is divided into seven chapters, beginning with an introduction to Buddhism and Buddhist art, followed by chapters on South Asia, Southeast Asia, Nepal and Tibet, China, Korea, and Japan.

The artworks, all from the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), offer a broad perspective on the birth of Buddhism in South Asia and its spread throughout the Asian continent over centuries.

The Buddha's tooth relic (srarira) in China

The artworks include a stunning and diverse range of Buddhas, stupas and reliquaries, religious manuscripts, paintings, and sculptures depicting various Buddhist deities, portraits of Buddhist masters, and other ritual objects.

The remarkably successful expansion of Buddhism was in part due to the ability of its principles to be adapted to and assimilated within a range of preexisting belief systems [usually some form of shamanism, animism, or some form of spirit appeasement].

Gorgeously illustrated with over 250 color reproductions of these exemplary artworks and religious objects, this book celebrates that achievement. More

Realms of the Dharma: LACMA exhibit

Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art Across Asia

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) 

LACMA has an excellent permanent collection.

"Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art Across Asia" presents an international survey of Buddhism and Buddhist art, beginning with the religion’s origins in India and following its spread through mainland and island Southeast Asia (Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia), the Himalayas (Kashmir, Nepal, and Tibet), and East Asia (China, Korea, and Japan).

Buddhism Friendship Scholarship Program goes to LACMA

Incorporating 180 masterpieces of pan-Asian Buddhist art, the exhibition introduces key concepts of Buddhist thought and practice viewed through the prism of rare and extraordinarily beautiful Buddhist sculptures, paintings, and ritual objects.

Drawn from LACMA’s permanent collection, with several significant loans from private collections, the exhibition explores:

• the life of the historical Buddha,
• the role of the bodhisattva or Buddhist savior,
• Buddhist cosmology,
• and such key concepts as Dharma, karma, nirvana, mantra, mudra, and mandala.

The show focuses on art associated with such key phases of Buddhism as Theravada (early monastic Buddhism), Mahayana (the “Great Vehicle” populism), Vajrayana (the “Diamond Vehicle”—tantric or esoteric Buddhism), and Chan (Zen).

While closed on the Day of the Dead, the exhibit reopens along with the museum on Nov. 2, 2025, and continues until July 12, 2026. Ticket purchase necessary. Discounted for members.

• Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art Across Asia | LACMA
• Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art Across Asia at LACMA — Art of The Ancestors | Island Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Global Tribal Art News
• At LACMA, splendid Buddhist art goes on view after years of delay | Los Angeles Times

Zahi Hawass buries truth: Grand Museum

(WION) After 20 years of construction, the $1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum finally opens, but rather than showing the world all that this cultural marvel might contain, Zahi "Indian Jones" Hawass has succeeded in burying the truth about the construction of the pyramids and underworld caverns, hollows, caves, and cities. Once fired for all his cover ups and claims that modern Egyptians are related to the builders, now he goes unquestioned, likely due to corrupt leadership in a nation controlled by Israel, CIA, and USA.

(Curtis Ryan Woodside)

Louvre jewel heist: suspects won't talk

(WW2 Accounts) 2 suspects arrested in Louvre heist. Who are the suspects? What's known

What other treasures are housed in the Louvre?

On Oct. 19, 2025, thieves disguised as construction workers stole eight pieces of the French Crown Jewels valued at €88 million [$100-150 million U.S. dollars] from the Galerie d'Apollon (lit. "Apollo's Gallery") of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.

The robbery took less than eight minutes, of which the thieves spent four inside the museum itself, and took place during regular museum hours [1][2]. It was the first art theft from the Louvre since the 1998 theft of the painting Le chemin de Sèvres [3][4].

(China Observer) Chinese female, 24, steals gold from French museum

At least they have leads. Come see me!

ARRESTS: On Oct. 25, 2025, two suspects from Seine-Saint-Denis, both around 30 years old, were arrested, one of them at Charles de Gaulle Airport as he was preparing to board a flight abroad [5][6]. Police are still looking for the others as the suspects prepare for a long interrogation [and possible torture]. More

Jewel heist at the Louvre, France

What we worship: Monas over mountains

(Channel 4 News) No one cared about the Mona Lisa until someone stole it in 1911. Then it became famous, was recovered, became subjected to the Mandela Effect, and grew in fame every year since, until an entire wall then room became dedicated to it. When we visited, the rooms were beautiful, even the halls were grand, but the mob in front of this one painting was ridiculous. At that time it could still be photographed, but taking a photo of the photographers seemed more appropriate.

(CNN) "An amateur move," says a jewel thief of Louvre heist

Now it has a shield and guards, and goodness knows it's probably not the original, just a forgery with the real thing in a safe somewhere. The Louvre's security is behind the times, possibly because Pres. Macron's husband (and the couple's ridiculous fight with American Candace Owens about gender) and the riots in the streets are sucking all the oxygen and discretionary funds that should be applied to keeping the imperial booty and irreplaceable treasures in this pyramidal repository safe.

(Primal Space) The Greatest Art Heist in History: Hello, Mona Lisa

• Channel 4 News, Oct. 20, 2025; former jewel thief Larry Lawton, CNN, Oct. 20, 2025; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly

Let’s talk chalk: Museum Without Walls

Sky goddess devi warrior princess?

Every summer, Pasadena puts together the Chalk Festival event so that hundreds of skilled artists can create large colorful chalk murals in a wide variety of styles and subject matter.

They range in style and subject matter, including funny, whimsical illustrations, serious portraits of people, recreations of classic masterpieces, incredible original designs, adorable characters, moving tributes, powerful statements, and jaw-dropping art.

Thanks to everyone who joined the 2025 Pasadena Chalk Festival. Thanks for braving No Kings Day protests, ICE crackdowns near the hotels, and the heat in Pasadena, coming together to create another Museum Without Walls.

Angry Jewish God creates sinful world to punish

This is a treasured event, and it doesn’t happen without artists, volunteers, sponsors, and all the wonderful art lovers who come to see the chalk murals.

All funds raised through merchandising and unique Silent Auction support the arts education programs of the Light Bringer Project throughout the year. Thanks for showing support so that we can continue to offer these programs to local youth.

• Artist’s Applications will be posted come spring 2026. Artists are encouraged to follow for up-to-date information @pasadenachalkfestival
• Eds., Wisdom Quarterly

Alien skulls? Proof of ETs found in Peru

Ancient lost worlds and hidden history

Brien Foerster via MSN.com, June 10, 2025

What to do if someone got brienfoerster.com?

Newly discovered elongated skulls [not created by cranial deformation] in Paracas, Peru. Let's go on location with author and adventurer Brien Foerster (at hiddenincatours.com and not at brienfoerster.com).

Foerster explores Peru, Bolivia, Egypt, Hawaii, Easter Island (Rapa Nui, Chile), and other exotic locations.

Acids used to "melt" stone by Peruvians?

Nazca, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Tiwanaku, Puma...

Special emphasis on evidence that advanced [alien] technology and human history are at least 10,000 years old. More: msn.com

• VIDEO: Newly discovered elongated skulls in Paracas, Peru
• FREE: Download A Brief History of the Incas by Brien Foerster by inserting email at HiddenIncaTours.com
• VIDEO) Before the Inca: Megalithic Saqsaywaman above the City of Cusco
• Machu Picchu, Peru (getyourguide.com)

(Secrets in Stone) Unveiling El Fuerte de Samaipata: Bolivia’s old hidden megalithic mystery

Art of Punk Rock: Crass, DKs, Black Flag

(Bullet Train Productions) By Any Means: A Brief History of Black Flag (Part 1: 1976-1980)

Hi, I'm Sydney Vicious. I do it my way!

Why do punk rockers feel drawn to Buddhism? It might be the anti-authority (as suggested by LA's Wasted Youth in their anthem "F Authority") stance of the Buddha who stood up to the religions of his day or the no heroes Zen ethos they imagine. Both modern punk and the ancient Dhamma were rebellious movements. Maybe they've read the Kalama Sutra and like the F.U. attitude they imagine it embodies.

I did it my way, claims Sex Pistol Sid Vicious as if he were Frank Sin'

Never mind those bullocks. Clear the mind.

Buddhism (the Awakened One's Dharma) doesn't really say "F.U.," but it does give license to free inquiry and questioning rather than blind faith or devotion to idols and authoritative sources. In the end, it's a kind of shamanism (direct experience) over temple-bound priests (intermediaries).

What is real rebellion and freedom?

The Buddha did not ask people to "believe" or worship him but to come see the Truth for themselves. Enlightenment (bodhi, awakening) is open to any person willing to embark on a quest to directly know-and-see. This is a personally verifiable path. There is no waiting until we die to see if what we placed faith in panned out. No.

This path-of-practice (not belief) is about the here and now; it is of immediate benefit, demonstrable: With this, that is; when this is not, that is not. What? Everything. Why? Because everything is Dependently Originated. So if we know-and-see become full of knowledge and wise on the path to Freedom, it is because we have practiced this and left that behind. If suffering (things sucking and disappointing) is a problem (as it is for most living beings), there is a solution right NOW in this moment.

(She Rocks Punk) Eve Libertine's first song with Crass was "Asylum," a

shocking anti-Christian, anti-patriarchal screed of vile and vulgar oopsies

The Art of Punk - Crass - The Art of Dave King and Gee Vaucher - Art + Music - MOCAtv

(The Museum of Contemporary Art) MOCA is a pretty arthouse in ugly Los Angeles. Talk about crass, this is talk about the British anarcho-punk pioneers Crass, the musical collective who back the amazing Eve Libertine, Joy De Vivre, and Steve Ignorant.

The Art of Punk - Dead Kennedys - The Art of Winston Smith - Art + Music - MOCAtv

(The Museum of Contemporary Art) June 25, 2013: In this episode, The Art of Punk hits head on with the art behind the legendary Dead Kennedys. From the chaotic, surreal, madness of collage mixed with political folly that blazed their LPs and gig flyers to the razor edge ultra simplistic four simple line DK symbol.

DKs: 1986 Interview with Jello Biafra (SPIN)

In San Francisco, MOCAtv corners founding Dead Kennedys member Jello Biafra (vocalist and frontman), who discusses his own warped inspiration for the many album sleeves and band posters created in the early days of the group.

Back in Los Angeles, MOCAtv talks with pop surrealist artist Tim Biskup about how the DKs affected and twisted his own young mind, and Steve Olson graces the show with a few words of wisdom.

Remember our Holiday in Buddhist Cambodia after the US turned it to hell?

10 best Dead Kennedys songs (Singers Room)

Finally, it's time to meet up with master collage artist and designer of the DK symbol, Winston Smith, in his North Beach art studio and talk about how he was drawn into the early Bay Area punk scene -- and his long and creative artistic relationship with the Dead Kennedys and their smart frontman and clever vocalist Jello Biafra.

The Art of Punk - Black Flag - Art + Music - MOCAtv

Created, directed, and executive produced by writer/author of Fucked Up + Photocopied Bryan Ray Turcotte (Kill Your Idols), and Bo Bushnell (The Western Empire), The Art of Punk traces the roots of the punk movement and the artists behind the iconic logos of punk bands such as Black Flag (Raymond Pettibon), The Dead Kennedys (Winston Smith), and Crass (Dave King).

In addition to profiling artists, the series includes intimate interviews with former band members, notable artists, and celebrities who have been heavily influenced by the art of punk rock including Jello Biafra, Tim Biskup, Scott Campbell, Chuck Dukowski, bassist Flea (FEAR, RHCP), Steve Olson, Penny Rimbaud, Henry Rollins, Owen Thornton, and Gee Vaucher.

The filmmakers Bryan Ray Turcotte and Bo Bushnell take a unique approach to exploring the rich histories of these three seminal punk legends by focusing on the influential imagery and seeking out stories that have not been told yet through the artwork, which is integral to the importance and influence of each band.

On June 11, 2013, The Art of Punk debuts on MOCAtv with an episode on Raymond Pettibon and the artwork of Black Flag. The stories behind the art of the Dead Kennedys will debut on June 18, and June 25 will see the release of the Crass episode, all of which will be available at: mocatv.

Created by: Bryan Ray Turcotte (bryanraymond) KillYourIdols.com and Bo Bushnell (bobushnell) Instagram.com/BoBushnell bobushnell.com. Directed by: Bryan Ray Turcotte, Bo Bushnell. Executive producers: Emma Reevers, John Toba. Executive producers: Bryan Ray Turcotte, Bo Bushnell. Starring: Raymond Pettibon, Keith Morris, Chuck Dukowski, Henry Rollins, Flea. Camera: Josh Webber, Bo Bushnell, Jason Baker. Edited by: Tim Brooks, Beast. Editorial Assistant editor: Paul Jarolimekproner, Beast. Editorial location sound: Alexander Charles Eastmond. Motion graphic design: Brent Stangel. Music supervision: Beta Petrol. Music by: Raw Nerve. Theme music: Son the Father by Fucked Up Courtesy Beggars Group. Additional music by: C.R.A.S.H. Scanning by: Jesse Spears. Sound mixing: Phil Lantz M Squared Productions. Colorist: Tim Brooks. Photo stills provided by: Brian Tucker, Ed Colver, Ryan Richardson. Like MOCA on Facebook: bit.ly/MOCAFacebook, Twitter: bit.ly/MOCATwitter +1 MOCA on Google+: bit.ly/MOCAGooglePlus.

• Eve Libertine, Crass, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag artists via MOCAtv; Sydney, Seth Auberon, Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells, Pfc. Sandoval (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Is punk dead? The Punk Rock Museum

Sassy punk and failed politician Jack

This morning T.S.O.L's Jack Grisham was the "Stay or Go" regular Friday segment guest music judge on The Heidi & Frank Show (KLOS 95.5 FM, Los Angeles).

• April Tour Guides — THE PUNK ROCK MUSEUM

As for the question, Is punk dead? It never seemed to be until we saw our first "Punk's not dead" patch. Who said it was, and why give that idea more airtime? Of course, it's been decades since that happened, and now there's a museum, and if it is dead, "pop punk" killed it.

Punk's Not Dead! (ideanow)

But how could it be dead if even the Sixties' hippie movement is not dead but lives on at Phish and other shows. The music survives, and the sentiment is strong. Punk rock really was about something, not least going against the stream. Noah Levine capitalized on this with his Dharma Punx book and a meditation and sobriety movement that aimed at turning that rebellion inward to something longer lasting than a fashion statement or general nihilistic attitude. Is it dead? Ask Russ Rankin, Finn McKenty, Punk Rock Girl, and Lorna Doom, and we'll let them be the arbiters.

Remembering The Germs and not forgetting 7 Seconds (F Your Amerika)

Punk Rock Museum?

It was code blue, um, code red when the legendary L.A. hardcore punk band (with OC Goth beginnings) played The Punk Rock Museum's March parking lot show.

T.S.O.L's best recording Sounds of Laughter (remastered HQ)

There's next to no rock left on Los Angeles airwaves, just mostly dinosaur rock from KLOS FM.

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It was an unforgettable day of music, an incredible event that featured five powerhouse bands, each bringing their unique energy and style. The legendary T.S.O.L. headlined, taking the stage to close out the evening in epic fashion. The show started with local Las Vegas trio The Dollheads, followed by the high-energy Knuckleheadz, and the electrifying Playboy Manbaby, and the Voodoo Glow Skulls.

Tickets got fans into the show and into the museum, too (entrance fee included). The first 80 who arrived got seating to watch a round table discussion that started at 12:30 pm, moderated by the legendary George Stroumboulopolous in a riveting, in-depth conversation, exploring the global cultural impact of punk, featuring Fat Mike, Kevin Lyman, T.S.O.L's Jack Grisham, photographer Edward Colver, Vinnie Fiorello, and Jennifer Finch. It was an action-packed day!

THE PUNK ROCK MUSEUM

Never Mind the Bollocks, here’s The Punk Rock Museum! It’s been 45+ years since punk rock pogo’d its way into music, fashion, film, and popular culture. On April 1st, 2023, The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas opened its doors to proudly shove in our faces the history, culture, and absurdity of rock n’ roll’s bastard stepchild. This museum invites lifelong fans and curious looky-loos of all ages to experience a hands-on and uniquely punk rock experience.

Sex Pistols "Anarchy in the UK" and eventually worldwide

March 30, 2025: Edward Colver: The Eye of Los Angeles Punk exhibition (opening reception)

Edward Colver has immortalized some of the most iconic figures of the 20th century through his striking photography. Best known for his raw and electrifying images of the early punk scene, Colver’s work captures the energy, rebellion, and spirit of a movement that reshaped music, fashion, and art in Los Angeles. His photographs are more than just visuals—they are cultural artifacts that document the birth and evolution of punk.

While his legacy is deeply tied to punk rock, Colver’s career extends far beyond, spanning a diverse range of subjects and artistic expressions.

Renowned photographer Edward Colver captured Los Angeles punk rock at its inception. His iconic photographs chronicle the heartbeat of the movement. By the end of 1983, he had provided the cover art for many L.A. punk records like:

• Circle Jerks,
• T.S.O.L,
• Dead Kennedys,
• Black Flag,
• Social Distortion,
• X,
• Adolescents,
• Bad Religion,
• Minor Threat,
• FEAR,
• and Christian Death to name just a few.

Saturday, March 30th from 2:00-4:00 pm, was the opening reception of "Edward Colver:  The Eye of Los Angeles Punk" and an artist talk moderated by L7’s Jennifer Finch at The Punk Rock Museum.

• Edward Colver: The Eye of Los Angeles Punk exhibition opening reception — THE PUNK ROCK MUSEUM
• Wasted Youth live at the Whisky, Hollywood, 1981

British Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen" (Revisited)

• Sydney, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly; Guest Jack Grisham, Host Frank Kramer, Kiss @$$ Heidi Hamiliton (H&F Show, April 4, 2025, final hour 9:00-10:00 am)

Iceland’s penis museum pulls it off

Iceland’s penis museum pulls it out off

Opened in 1997, the world’s only Phallological Museum has been growing ever since Oct. 5th, 2016. Hjörtur Gísli Sigurðsson sources penises from farmers, slaughterhouses and trophy hunters. Occasionally Iceland’s Marine Research Institute will call him to say that a whale has washed up on their shores. Sigurðsson and his associates rush to the spot to harvest the creature’s organ. The collection of the Icelandic Phallological Museum has swollen in size from 63 specimens when it opened on August 23rd, 1997 – the birthday of Sigurður Hjartarson, its founder and Sigurðsson’s father – to 286 today. More (economist.com)

• Leo Mirani, Iceland’s penis museum pulls it off
• Did ancient Greek Priapus have priapism?

So it's not da Nile but the God Atum's Penile?

Maybe the Ankh isn't the swollen Nile but sperm?

England's Vagina Museum is not to be outdone. World's only Vagina Museum closes its doors in East London and seeks new home. Or maybe it is, given the nature of the sexist world we live in that systematically discriminates and devalues women. The word clitoris, for example, is practically verboten. We must feel shame and, though interested, pretend to be offended, shocked, and scandalized.

Sex toys of the Secretum (British Museum)

Satyr and nymph, intent de violació, exposició la Bellesa del Cos (wiki)

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Would billionaires donate their toys?

The Secretum (Latin for "hidden away") was a British Museum collection of the 19th and early 20th centuries that held artifacts and images that were deemed sexually graphic.

Many of the items were phallic amulets, sexy charms, and votive offerings, often from pre-Christian traditions, including the worship of Priapus (constantly erect), a Greco-Roman god of fertility and male genitalia.

Newar Vajracharya priest, Nepal

Items from other cultures covered a wide range of human history, including ancient Egypt, the classical era Greco-Roman world, the ancient Near East, medieval England, sex-crazed Japan, and Kama Sutra India.

Many of the early donations or sales to the museum -- including those from the collectors Sir Hans Sloane, Sir William Hamilton, Richard Payne Knight, and Charles Townley -- contained items with erotic or sexually graphic images; these were separated out by museum staff and kept from public display.

Cupid, Kamadeva, Eros? Destroy this mad brute

Modern scholars believe the segregation was probably motivated by a paternalistic (in loco parentis) stance from the museum to keep what they considered morally dangerous material away from all except scholars and members of the clergy, who are very interested in sex and erotic material for coming closer to their God or gods or the children.

What materials and modern artifacts might be sent to the Secretum if the collection continued?

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Flute blowing Zen, Komuso

By the 1860s there were around 700 such items held by the British Museum. In 1865 the antiquarian George Witt donated his phallocentric collection of 434 artifacts to the museum, which led to the formal setting up of the Secretum to hold his penile collection and similar items.

The Secretum collection began to be gradually broken up in 1912, with the transfer of items into departments appropriate for their time frame and culture.

The last entry into the Secretum was in 1953, when the British Library found 18th-century condoms being used as bookmarks in a 1783 publication they held.

The last remaining items were moved out of the collection in 2005. More

• Cupid is from India and named ("sensuality god") Kamadeva?
• Hyperion to a satyr, Shakespeare (comic)
• Wikipedia featured article, edited and expanded by Wisdom Quarterly