This book accompanies the exhibition On the Origins, exploring the diverse roots of Tibetan Buddhist art. As Buddhism arrived in Tibet, the region was encircled by mature Buddhist cultures. The nascent Tibetan tradition thus began a conscious process of selection and synthesis, absorbing influences from India, Nepal, Kashmir, and China to forge a unique identity.

On the Origins examines this artistic synthesis through its most significant forms: sacred statues, vibrant thangkas, and potent ritual implements. It explores a complex divine hierarchy, traces distinct geographical styles, and classifies major painting schools. For centuries, these objects have been living elements of devotion, not merely artifacts.

This exhibition gathers over one hundred masterpieces, offering a profound opportunity for appreciation and study. It continues a vital conversation that seeks to clarify the origins of this heritage. Ultimately, this volume is an invitation to witness the dynamic genesis of a living tradition—born from a confluence of cultures and refined into a powerful artistic language that is uniquely Tibetan. Text in Chinese, fully illustrated.

2017, Beijing, Cultural Relics Press, Hardcover, 285 pp., as new.