kaiguang

Walking into a restaurant in Knoxville, Tennessee, I was immediately greeted by the serene gaze of a golden Buddha statue. Its gemstone eyes sparkled as I passed, and though the scents of Thai curries filled the air, I found myself lingering on those eyes, their glint suggesting more than just a decorative presence. Sacred objects are everywhere—gracing museum galleries, adorning homes, or even standing in yards. Some shine with bejeweled splendor, while others carry the patina of generations of devotion. Often, it feels as if these sacred images are looking back at us. The ways in which sacred objects convey divine presence in many Asian cultures offer a fascinating glimpse into how the material world intersects with the spiritual. My research focuses on this intersection, exploring how s...