Art by Buddhist monks is on display in Beijing

Visitors enjoy art pieces on display at an exhibition in Beijing featuring dozens of traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphy by some 100 Buddhist monks. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

A three-day art exhibition, held at the Hall of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, shows dozens of traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphic pieces by some 100 Buddhist monks.

It's a tradition in Chinese art history that monks also were adept at painting and writing calligraphy, or painters converted to Buddhism to gain greater attainment in art.

The displayed works show how that tradition has been inherited by Buddhism practitioners today, and how well they've infused cultural attainment with philosophical thinking.

Also on show are creative products incorporating Buddhist elements with intangible cultural heritage.