The Bhumisparsha mudra is a
profound gesture embodied by the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. In this
iconic pose, the Buddha sits with his right hand extending towards the earth,
its palm facing inward and touching the ground near his right knee.
Simultaneously, his left-hand rests on his lap with the palm turned upward.
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This mudra holds deep
significance, marking the moment of the Buddha's enlightenment and his triumph
over the temptations presented by the demon King Mara. It also symbolizes the
Buddha's unwavering resolve during his meditation beneath the Bodhi tree. Furthermore,
it signifies the harmonious fusion of skilful means (Upaya) and wisdom (Prajna)
on his path to awakening.
The Victorious Earth-Touching Gesture
This magnificent copper statue, gilded with pure gold, depicts Lord Buddha in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, the earth-touching gesture. This sacred posture symbolizes the Buddha's enlightenment and his victory over the demon Mara, who attempted to disrupt his meditation under the Bodhi tree. Legend tells that as Mara unleashed his fiercest temptations, Siddhartha Gautama, unperturbed, extended his right hand and touched the earth, calling upon the Earth Goddess, Bhumi, as his witness to his worthiness and the purity of his intention. The earth itself then trembled, affirming his enlightenment and repelling the forces of darkness.
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A Symbol of Unwavering Resolve
The Bhumisparsha Mudra is one of the most powerful and profound gestures in Buddhist iconography. It represents unwavering resolve, inner strength, and the triumph of wisdom and compassion over ignorance and desire. The Buddha's left hand rests in his lap, palm upwards, in the gesture of meditation, while his right hand gracefully descends to touch the earth. This dual gesture signifies the grounding of spiritual realization in the physical world and the embodiment of enlightened principles. The serene expression on the Buddha's face, coupled with the profound symbolism of this posture, emanates an aura of peace, wisdom, and unshakeable calm.
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Exquisite Craftsmanship from Nepal
Hailing from the spiritual heartland of Nepal, this exquisite statue is a testament to the rich artistic heritage and devotional traditions of the region. Crafted from high-quality copper and meticulously gilded with gold, the idol boasts a radiant sheen that captivates the eye. The intricate details of the Buddha's robes, the serene contours of his face, and the delicate ornamentation are all rendered with exceptional skill by master artisans. The inclusion of vibrant turquoise and red stones adds a touch of celestial beauty, reminiscent of the precious offerings made in Buddhist temples. This statue is not merely an object of art; it is a sacred artifact imbued with centuries of spiritual devotion and artistic excellence, designed to inspire peace and contemplation in any space it graces.
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.
