Tickets
Museum Hours
Thu: 1 PM–8 PM
Fri–Mon: 10 AM–5 PM
Tue–Wed: Closed
Location
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.581.3500
Become a Member Plan Your Visit Shop
Tickets
Video

Masterpiece: The Buddha Triumphing over Mara

The main figure in this stone sculpture from the 900s shows many characteristic features of images of the Buddha. Here we see elements that tell us we’re in the presence of the Buddha as he was on the threshold of achieving enlightenment. Above his head are branches of heart-shaped leaves. They indicate the sacred bodhi tree, under which he is said to have attained enlightenment some 2,500 years ago.

View in Asian Art Museum's Collection

Related Resources

Video

Mudras for Hindu Deities

GRADE LEVEL: Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond
7:48
https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/03/Nivy-Gopinath-Sarathy-image_reduced-600x450.jpg 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/03/Nivy-Gopinath-Sarathy-image_reduced-1200x900.jpg 2x

Activity

Create an Abstract Dreamscape

In this activity, you will create an art piece inspired by the work of Bernice Bing. 

GRADE LEVEL: Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond
https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/12/MEDIA-65680-600x450.jpg 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/12/MEDIA-65680-1200x900.jpg 2x

Activity

Ancient China: Design Your Own Bronze Vessel

If you were to design a bronze vessel for a friend who has done something important for you, what shape would you make it? How would you decorate it? Would you use designs like the ones on the bronze vessels in the museum? What would you inscribe on it?

GRADE LEVEL: Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/01/Bronze_Vessel_Rhino-600x450.png 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/01/Bronze_Vessel_Rhino-1200x900.png 2x

Activity

Reflection: I was, I am, I will be

How would you answer Chanel Miller’s “I was, I am, I will be” prompt? Would your answers look like Miller’s, or would they look different?

GRADE LEVEL: High School (9-12), College and Beyond
https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/10/Chanel_Miller_Gallery-600x450.jpg 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/10/Chanel_Miller_Gallery-1200x900.jpg 2x

Activity

Reflection: Inside/Outside

Visible from Hyde Street outside the Asian Art Museum are Chanel Miller’s I was, I am, I will be, Jas Charanjiva’s Don’t Mess With Me, and Jenifer K Wofford’s Pattern Recognition.

GRADE LEVEL: Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond
https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/10/artists-600x450.jpg 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/10/artists-1200x900.jpg 2x