The article is devoted to formulation the main criteria for the analysis of contemporary art and, in particular, works including a sacred image of Buddha from the perspective of art history. The development of an expert approach in this area is a necessary step, because most of the researchers of contemporary art, containing various religious or sacred images, only artistically described or analyzed this type from general cultural positions. The authors offer authors offer several questions, as expert criteria, and answers to which will be able to help the experts for their position. What is the purpose of creating an image? What role does the material chosen by the master play in shaping the artistic image? Does the multidimensionality of meanings appear in the artistic image of the work? Does the work have a non-finite phenomenon? In the course of the disclosure of these issues, the article analyzes the work of Pema Namdol Thae, Climent Brie, Nam Joon Paik, Yeshe Gombo and others.