Search Buddhist Channel
Altgeld Art Museum houses treasures
by Sara Adams, Northern Star Staff Reporter, Dec 2, 2004
Northern Illinois University, Illinois (USA) -- Walking into the Burmese art exhibit of the newly-renovated Altgeld Hall, the fresh scent of the building lingers around the 19th-century artwork on display. The low lighting throughout the exhibit gives the figures an eerie life-like quality. The only sounds that follow you through the maze of glass cabinets are the sounds of your own feet on the hollow wooden floors and soft Burmese music in the distance.
The kinnari and kinnara, a pair of winged monumental figures covered in a mosaic of colored glass, greet visitors as they step inside. The figures appear to be dancing, adorned with red, green and blue pieces of mirrored glass all over their gold-dusted bodies.
Further into the exhibit, past several statues of Buddha, visitors can find detailed religious hangings made from dark textiles, appliquéd jewels, sequins, glass beads and metallic threads.
These are just some of the artifacts patrons can find inside the Burmese art exhibit in Altgeld Hall.
?I think museums tell the story of our civilizations,? said NIU President John Peters. ?And right here in Altgeld Hall students and community members can learn about that culture.?
The exhibit is a part of the Center for Burmese Studies, which has been a part of the NIU community since 1986.
?The Center for Burmese Studies here is world class,? Peters said. ?Any university in the country would be proud to have it.?
NIU?s 1,000-piece collection is one of the largest of Burmese art in the United States. About 60 pieces are on display.
Toward the back of the exhibit, carved ivory tusks sit on either side of a Buddha statue, which is a common tradition in Burmese temples. The tusks display the 28 predecessors of the historical Buddha, and frame a Buddha statue seated in the ?varada mudra? or giving posture.
In the furthest room of the exhibit, museum patrons can find a pair of statues representing the fierce evil spirit Bilu from Burmese folklore. According to folklore, Bilu was thought to bring bad luck, disease and famine. But when Bilu heard the words of Buddha, it renounced its evil ways and began worshipping Buddha. This is why Bilu statues are placed at the foot of Buddha?s altar in a humble position in Buddhist temples.
Michelle Ramirez, a senior studio art major, works at the museum as part of a work study program. Her favorite pieces on display are the Naga Roof Brackets placed over the entrance of the museum.
?It?s so beautiful - when you?re walking into the hallway, it?s like you?re entering a different place,? Ramirez said.
Although admission to the museum is free, Ramirez said only an average of about five people visit the exhibit daily.
?I wish more people would come in because it?s such a beautiful collection,? she said.
The exhibit has been available to the public in Altgeld since October, Ramirez said, and is expected to remain available until May.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv