JMMTA
A SANCTUARY in the City
Situated on a hilltop with commanding views of the Raritan Bay, The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art is an uncommon find in the tri-state area. The buildings were designed by the founder to replicate Tibetan Buddhist mountain monasteries, in particular, the Potala at Lhasa – the historic seat of the Dalai Lamas.
The collection consists of several thousand pieces of art primarily from Tibet, Mongolia and northern China dating from the fifteenth century. The collection at JMMTA has been widely acknowledged to be one of the most important collections of its kind in the west.
In addition to our collection, JMMTA offers a wide array of programs to the public -- all at nominal cost to you. We host weekly classes in yoga, tai chi, and guided meditation. And we offer wide variety of programs and events throughout the year, such as educational activities for school-age children. The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art is in every way a living museum.
OUR MISSION
The mission of Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art is to preserve it's unique collection of rare and sacred artifacts, provide careful stewardship of its historic buildings and gardens, and present the art, culture and history of Tibet to a world audience, educating and inspiring appreciation of Himalayan cultures and fostering better global understanding.
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OUR VISION
Our vision is to be a living museum, with and without walls, promoting diversity and inclusion, welcoming visitors to our unique and historic hillside site, and bringing the Museum into the community in person and online. As we share the unique culture of Tibet, we strive to make connections between past and present, between Tibet and other cultural heritages, to foster awareness, insight, and appreciation of the commonality of our shared humanity.
WHAT'S ON
CURRENT EXHIBITION
A Sacred Continuum
June 2024 – Present
Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life, stands as one of the most revered figures in the Jacques Marchais Museum’s collection.
In Sanskrit, his name signifies boundless longevity, aligning him with two other powerful figures—White Tara and Ushnishavijaya—who together form a sacred triad of Long Life Deities.
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This exhibition presents a rich tapestry of ritual objects, sacred sculptures, and thangka paintings, drawing from the spiritual traditions of Tibet, Mongolia, Qing Dynasty China, Bhutan, and Nepal. Through an intricate blend of artistic and cultural influences, these objects reflect the profound connections between Himalayan and Central Asian Buddhist practices.
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Among the collection, representations of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, and Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, further illustrate the deep spiritual lineage woven throughout this exhibition. Each artifact—whether a bronze deity, a painted scroll, or a ritual implement—embodies the essence of devotion, longevity, and enlightenment.
