Bestowed with
complete enlightenment, he forgoes the blissful embrace of nirvana, choosing
instead to remain on Earth, dedicated to the salvation of all living beings.
This profound compassion underscores his role as a compassionate guide.
In early
Buddhism, while compassion was esteemed, it often took a backseat to wisdom.
However, he embodies both qualities. His serene gaze carries deep
understanding, love, and compassion, as he looks upon all beings.
His four arms and
hands signify the four immeasurables: boundless loving-kindness, immeasurable
compassion, inexhaustible joy, and unwavering equanimity. These qualities
reflect his dedication to uplifting beings from suffering and nurturing their
spiritual growth.
A Vision of Compassion and Wisdom
This exquisite copper statue, gilded with the lustrous glow of gold, depicts Kharchari, a compassionate female bodhisattva revered in Tibetan Buddhism. Seated in the serene lotus posture atop a beautifully detailed tiered base, she embodies the divine grace and profound wisdom sought by practitioners on the path to enlightenment. Her posture is one of profound peace, with hands clasped at the heart in añjali mudra, a gesture of reverence and supplication.
Symbolism and Divine Attributes
Kharchari, often associated with the goddess Tara, embodies the swift action and benevolent compassion of the enlightened. In this portrayal, her multiple arms signify her boundless capacity to offer aid and guidance to sentient beings across all realms. The right upper hand gracefully holds a lotus flower, a powerful symbol of purity, spiritual awakening, and the unfolding of wisdom. The lotus, born from muddy waters yet pristine and beautiful, represents the ability to transcend worldly impurities and attain spiritual purity. Her left upper hand delicately holds a coiled serpent, a symbol rich with meaning across various cultures. In Buddhist iconography, serpents can represent the primordial energy of life, the cycle of birth and death, or the control of passions and ignorance. Together, these symbols speak of Kharchari's ability to tame the wild forces of the mind and guide beings towards liberation.
Artistry and Craftsmanship
Crafted by skilled Nepalese artisans, this statue is a testament to centuries of tradition and devotion. The intricate detailing of her robes, adorned with delicate patterns and precious gem-like inlays, speaks of her regal status as a celestial being. The fine craftsmanship extends to her serene facial expression, with gentle eyes and a subtle smile that conveys a sense of deep understanding and unwavering kindness. The vibrant gold patina enhances the divine aura of the sculpture, imbuing it with a radiant presence that is both captivating and inspiring. The tiered base, decorated with lotus petals and geometric patterns, provides a stable and elegant foundation, further elevating the deity's sacred form.
Cultural Resonance
Kharchari, as a manifestation of bodhisattvic energy, resonates deeply within the cultural and spiritual landscape of Nepal and Tibet. Bodhisattvas are beings who have attained enlightenment but choose to remain in the cycle of rebirth to help others achieve liberation. Kharchari's compassionate actions and wisdom are a source of inspiration and solace for devotees, offering a tangible representation of the path to spiritual realization. This statue serves not only as a beautiful work of art but also as a focal point for meditation, prayer, and contemplation, inviting practitioners to connect with the profound principles of Buddhism. Its presence can transform any space into a sanctuary of peace and spiritual aspiration.
How are Nepalese copper statues made?
Nepalese statues and sculptures are best known for their unique
small religious figures and ritual paraphernalia for over two
thousand years. These are mainly cast in copper alloy. Nepal draws
influences from the artistic styles of Buddhism and Hinduism, and
therefore the sculptors of the country specialize in making the
icons of both these religions. Over the years, Nepalese sculptures
evolved into their own distinctive iconography. Some
characteristic features of these sculptures that differ from other
pieces are exaggerated physical postures, youthful and sensual
features, languid eyes, wider faces having serene expressions, and
ornate flourishes. The Buddhist deity icons of Nepal have
tremendous demand in countries such as China and Tibet for ritual
purposes in their temples and monasteries.
Nepalese statues and sculptures have a high copper content and
therefore develop a slightly reddish patina on the surface as they
age. However, the most unique feature of Nepalese copper statues
is their decorative detailing. The pieces are heavily gilded and
sometimes inlaid with semi-precious stones. This embellishment
protects them from getting tarnished. The traditional lost-wax
method for casting Nepalese copper statues remains the most
practiced technique in Nepal for many centuries. This process
involves many steps and requires skilled artists.
The first step in lost-wax sculpting is to make a wax replica of
the desired Buddhist deity to be cast in copper. This replica is
created by hand and therefore needs excellent artistic skills
otherwise fine features will be lacking.
Once the wax replica is made, it is then coated with a special
mixture of clay with a brush. This layer of clay is hardened when
left to dry. A small hole is made on the base of the wax mould so
that the wax flows away when it is heated.

At this stage, a hollow mould in the shape of the deity is
obtained.
This is the time to pour liquid copper into the hollow mould which
is then allowed to cool and harden inside a container of cold
water. When the liquid metal has hardened, the mould is removed
and the statue within is revealed.

The artist works on the details of the statue using various tools.
It is then polished to get a shiny and lustrous surface.
Now comes the most important part of Nepalese art which is gold
gilding. This is done by the traditional fire gilding method. A
mixture of mercury and 18K gold is applied on the surface of the
statue and heat is applied using a flame torch. The result is that
mercury evaporates along with impurities, leaving a pure 24K gold
finish.

The lost-wax method of sculpting is the most preferred technique
for artists to cast a metallic statue having intricate details.
Since Nepalese copper sculptures require extraneous effort for
giving a majestic look by adding special embellishments, it takes
several weeks to complete one masterpiece. A 24K gold gilded
copper sculpture retains its brilliant luster for many years and
appears as like before. Nepalese sculptures continue to remain one of the finest specimens of the art of the East that have a strong
aesthetic appeal that other sculptures cannot match.
