In a new exhibition, the British Museum traces the shared roots of three ancient Indian religions

The British Museum's latest exhibition, 'Ancient India: Living Traditions,' curated by Sushma Jansari, explores shared cultural roots among Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. These major religions, with nearly two billion adherents, draw from common early traditions and texts despite their unique beliefs. The exhibition highlights devotional art, which signifies uninterrupted connections to ancient practices, reinforcing the idea of shared cultural heritage. Jansari points out the importance of nature spirits, like the Yakshas, in depicting these faiths' roots, exemplified through the revered goddess Laksmī. The exhibition thus aims to illuminate the unexpected commonalities within spiritually distinct traditions.

Sushma Jansari emphasizes that the new British Museum exhibition reveals the shared cultural heritage among Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, showcasing ancient devotional art.

The exhibition illustrates the commonality of the three religions through devotional art, rooted in early traditions, which still plays a vital role in current practices.

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