Netherlands/China: Interior of a 'Buddhist temple'. Engraving by Jacob van Meurs (1619/1620 - c. 1680), late 1600s. Buddhism is an Eastern religion and philosophy based primarily on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563-483 BCE). By the time European traders arrived in Asia in the early 1500s, Buddhism was the dominant religion in many regions. In this greatly exaggerated illustration, probably set in China, the European artist portrays a temple as similar to a European theatre. Statues of demons flank the Buddha image, reminding Europeans of the day this was a pagan church.

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Size: 3706px × 4572px
Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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