The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, United States

India Section The oldest monumental religious structures in ancient India, the stupas, housed the relics and teachings of Buddha and were often adorned with snakes and trees. 'Trees and Snakes' is a common divine imagery in early Buddhism in India, serving a protective role. 'Snakes and Trees' also forms the title of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York's new exhibition 'Early Buddhist Art from 200 BCE to 400 CE'. The exhibition features over 125 rare artifacts from India, revealing the origins of Buddhist art before the practice of creating Buddha's images began. Buddhism as a faith emphasizes the progress and enlightenment of the human spirit and morality, advocating for the animism of all things and the equality of all beings. The exhibition starts with the land, which is the nature driven by the spirit that Buddha saw and understood.