Encountering Religion in Asian Art
Through a work of art, students can encounter people whose everyday lives and systems of belief are wholly different from their own. Such moments bring learning to life and cultivate empathy across cultures. Bring those revelations into the classroom with the collections of the National Museum of Asian Art.
With these teaching resources, you can use art from our collections to help students (grades 8–12) learn about three religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Focus on specific objects to develop students’ understanding of larger concepts, such as enlightenment and pilgrimage. Make connections across religious traditions and between historical and contemporary contexts. Use our discussion questions to drive conversation and invite curiosity.
This portal includes
- object guides that examine each object and the key ideas it reflects
- timelines & maps to situate our objects in time and space
- video interviews sharing perspectives from contemporary religious practitioners
- activity modules that guide multimedia lesson plans
- a glossary to clarify unfamiliar terms and their pronunciation
Our resources open the door for students to begin exploring the rich and diverse array of religions that flourished and continue to thrive across Asia and beyond.
