A Christian and Buddhist Pilgrimage: John Bunyan’s Pilgrim Progress, illustrated by William Blake and the Gandavyuha, the pilgrimage of Sudhana. This is the first exhibit at the Bieup Annex of the Museum of Sacred and Narrative Art.

Both of these pilgrimages are metaphors for life ending in Salvation or Enlightenment. Pilgrim’s Progress was illustrated by many artists including William Blake whose work is the most significant. Blake only illustrated the first half which is the story of Christian’s journey. The second half concerns his wife Christiana who follows after with her children. Perhaps Blake did not live long enough to do that.

Much of Sudhana’s travels was illustrated on the large structure at Borobudur, Indonesia. Sudhana meets with 53 kalyāṇa-mittatā (wise advisors) or friends and gets advice at each step. His guide is Manjusri who leads him finally to Samantabhadra who leads him on the last few steps.

The exhibit presents illustrations for many of the encounters of the two pilgrims. Christians journey is dangerous and his life is on the line. Sudhana’s covers real distance as he travels from place to place. Each of the scenes illustrate teachings.