[clay dube here - i logged in using a test ID to test some things about the system]
Jennifer - thanks for these great ideas. I think other possibilities include exploring how representations of the Buddha vary, including how the Alexander the Greek invasion may have influenced facial features. See this: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/classics/research/undergrads/jivan_kandola_completed_poster_urss.pdf
There is also a change in an important bodhisattva, Avalokiteśvara, as the faith and representations traveled to East Asia. Here's a book on the subject:
https://cup.columbia.edu/book/becoming-guanyin/9780231548731 A short blog entry by the author: https://cupblog.org/2020/03/03/yuhang-li-on-becoming-guanyin/ And a 10 minute video by the author: https://eastasianarthistory.org/2020/08/10/becoming-guanyin/
The Met has a short comparison of the Virgin Mary and Guanyin as figures of compassion. https://www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/articles/2021/5/virgin-mary-guanyin
The Univ. of Washington web companion to the Ebrey text has images and description of Guanyin.
