Dhaka: The fourth edition of BUDDHA OF BENGAL: Our Sacred Community, a landmark nationwide exhibition celebrating Bengali Buddhist art and spirituality, opened on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM at La Galerie, Alliance Fran§aise de Dhaka. The exhibition will remain open to visitors until Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
According to United News of Bangladesh, BUDDHA OF BENGAL marks a unique initiative in South Asia, continuing its mission to revive and promote traditional Bengali sacred art by bringing together both established and emerging artists. The exhibition coincides with the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima and pays homage to the teachings and legacy of Gautama Buddha through artistic expression rooted in indigenous traditions.
This year’s theme centers on the Third Jewel of Buddhadharma – Sangha, or Sacred Community. Through 91 artworks, the exhibition explores ideas of spiritual fellowship, universal compassion, shared human experience, and collective awakening. The works reflect engagement with themes such as communal harmony, contemplation, kinship with nature, and humanity’s interconnectedness.
A total of 80 Bangladeshi artists have contributed to this edition, presenting a range of traditional mediums including watercolor, gouache, tempera, sculpture, miniature, batik, appliqu©, woodcut, nakshikantha, ceramics, printmaking, and metalwork. The exhibition also marks an expansion in participation, with students and faculty from 15 universities and institutions nationwide, including University of Dhaka, University of Rajshahi, University of Chittagong, Jahangirnagar University, and Khulna University, among others. Participants also include artists from Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts and international contributors from Yunnan Art University.
In a distinctive approach that extends beyond conventional exhibitions, BUDDHA OF BENGAL will host a program of daily activities, including Bengali classical and folk music performances, watercolor-wash technique workshops, guided artist tours, sacred art presentations, and discussions on Buddhist philosophy. These events aim to foster dialogue, learning, and engagement with the spiritual and cultural dimensions of the artworks.
The exhibition will conclude with the inauguration of its first-ever Best Artists Awards ceremony, recognizing contributions across categories. Awards include BDT 80,000 for first prize, BDT 58,000 for second prize, BDT 35,000 for third prize, and BDT 35,000 for best student artwork.
Organized by the Oriental Painting Study Group and Learning Design Studio, in partnership with Alliance Fran§aise de Dhaka, BUDDHA OF BENGAL continues to build a platform for artistic and spiritual exchange. Through its body of work, the exhibition invites audiences to reconnect with the values of empathy, compassion, and collective harmony embodied in the concept of Sangha.