Born a prince in the 5th century B.C. in north India, the historical Buddha spent much of his life traveling and teaching along the roads and river valleys of the subcontinent. The events of his life were preserved piecemeal in ancient texts brimming with miraculous tales and supernatural characters.

These tales gave rise to one of the world’s most widespread and enduring artistic traditions, and the central events have become a cornerstone of Buddhist art.

An exploration of the artistic representations of the Buddha’s life includes a look at the architectural remains of the sites— including Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, and Sarnath—where these events were said to have occurred. This artistic journey follows the narrative of the Buddha’s life to find the places where text and archaeology meet.

6:45 to 7:45 p.m. The Life of the Buddha

From his birth to his death, the story of the Buddha’s life has been preserved and elaborated over the centuries. His story is accompanied by a look at the major characteristics used in the artistic representations of these tales.

8 to 9 p.m. The Path of the Buddha

A look at the architectural and archaeological remains at some of the primary locations linked to the Buddha. As Buddhism spread out of south Asia, the desire to be close to the Buddha remained, giving rise to fascinating examples of the Buddha made “local” in foreign lands.

Robert DeCaroli is a professor of art history at George Mason University.