Buddha Amitabha and attendant deities

Ambassador Roger Chambard had a lifetime affection and curiosity for continents and cultures, including Africa, the Arab world and the Far East. He shared his interests in history and archaeology with his acquaintances, the writers Henry de Monfreid and Joseph Kessel. His first post in Asia was in China in Hankou (Province of Hubei) from 1932 to 1938. Afterwards he was posted to the Middle East, returning to Asia in 1959 as French Ambassador to South Korea. His interest and his knowledge of Asian cultures as well as his popularity permitted him to stay for ten years in Seoul.

When he retired from foreign affairs, Chambard was appointed chairman of the Japan Pacific Fund until he passed away in 1982. Fascinated by Buddhist philosophy, Ambassador Chambard assembled a fine group of Buddhist bronzes. His ashes were spread at Bul-Kuk-Sa Temple in South Korea.