Padmasambhava-
the lotus-born Guru, who laid the foundations of Tibetan Buddhism is presented
in this heavenly copper with gold statue from Nepal,
standing on a beautifully delineated platform, in an animated posture. He is
wrapped in the garb’s characteristic of Tibetan monks, with its delicate folds
exquisitely highlighted in the metal icon. The waves of cloth tied to his
Danda, his overalls and the flaps of his cap add a dynamism to the statue,
stimulating the composition with the potency of Padmasambhava.
The Lotus-Born
Behold a magnificent representation of Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, the "Lotus-Born," a pivotal figure in the introduction of Tantric Buddhism to Tibet. This meticulously crafted statue, standing at approximately 13 inches tall, radiates the power and wisdom associated with this revered master. Crafted from copper and lavishly gilded with gold, this statue brings a sense of divine presence to any space. Its dimensions are 13.0 x 7.5 x 5.0 inches.
This statue captures Guru Rinpoche in a standing pose, indicative of his readiness to act and intervene in the world. Each detail, from the intricate robes adorned with delicate patterns to the serene expression on his face, reflects the exceptional skill of Nepalese artisans. This statue is not just a beautiful object, but also a tangible link to a rich spiritual heritage.The Significance of Padmasambhava
Padmasambhava's origins are shrouded in myth. Legend tells us he was not born in the conventional way, but miraculously appeared as an eight-year-old child amidst a lotus blossom in the Dhanakosha Lake, in the kingdom of Oddiyana. Invited to Tibet by King Trisong Detsen in the 8th century, Padmasambhava is credited with subduing local spirits and deities who hindered the construction of Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet.
More than just a builder, Padmasambhava is revered as a master of tantric practices, capable of transforming negative energies into positive forces. He is said to have concealed numerous termas, or spiritual treasures, hidden texts and objects intended to be discovered by future generations of practitioners at the appropriate time. These treasures contain profound teachings and methods for enlightenment, waiting to be revealed by destined tertöns (treasure revealers).
A Symbol of Power and Transformation
Observe the implements held by the Guru in this statue. In his left hand, he cradles a kapala, a skullcup filled with the nectar of immortality, symbolizing the transformation of negative emotions into wisdom. His right hand makes the threatening tarjani mudra, warding off obstacles and negative forces. He holds the khatvanga, a staff topped with skulls and ornaments, representing his consorts and the power to transmute all experiences into the path to enlightenment. Together, these elements tell the story of a master who transcends duality and embodies the ultimate potential of the human spirit. The Khatvanga symbolizes his mastery over all forces, both benevolent and malevolent.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.
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