By Lee Jon Young

Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Dongguk University Museum held a ceremony on October 10 at Dongguk University Museum, followed by a special exhibition titled 'Buddha in Dongguk' from the following day until December 26 at the museum's second floor special exhibition room.

The Dongguk University Museum was founded on September 1, 1963, and collects, stores, and exhibits Buddhist-related archaeological and art materials in accordance with the university's founding philosophy. 

Since its opening, the museum has been investigating, discovering, and studying Buddhist art, informing the academic community and educating students, and its collection includes sculptures, paintings, crafts, architecture, and golden stone doors related to Buddhism, totaling 2,252 pieces (1,735 registered artifacts and 517 deposited artifacts). 

There are also a number of designated cultural properties, including two national treasures, eight treasures, and two Seoul Tangible Cultural Properties.

The 60th anniversary exhibition will showcase more than 50 of the holy treasures that have been carefully collected and studied by previous museum directors.

The exhibition is organized as follows: ▲Prologue: Dongguk University Museum Begins 60 Years of History ▲Part 1: Materials, Distinguishing and Achieving (Buddhist Veneration According to Materials) ▲Part 2: Buddhist Veneration, Capturing the Sublime (Various Buddhist Veneration) ▲Part 3: Buddha Costumes, Infusing Divine Vitality (Buddha Statues and Costumes). 

The third part of the exhibition is particularly noteworthy as it will be the first time that the costume of the wooden Standing Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva from 1620 will be on display.

Meanwhile, the Dongguk University Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 16 p.m. on weekdays and closed on weekends and holidays.