Enter the compassionate realm of Chenrezig, the embodiment of boundless empathy in Tibetan Buddhism. With numerous arms extending in a gesture of caring and gaze radiating compassion. Chenerzig stands as a bodhisattva, a guiding presence on the profound journey of enlightenment. Chenrezig emanates compassion, his mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” resonating within the hearts of dedicated practitioners. Each of his myriad arms signifies a commitment to aiding sentient beings, and his serene countenance reflects an unwavering dedication to alleviating suffering.
The Bodhisattva of Compassion
This stunning statue, handcrafted in Nepal, embodies the essence of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Known as Chenrezig in Tibetan Buddhism, Avalokiteshvara is revered as the embodiment of the compassion of all Buddhas. This deity is not merely a figure of worship, but a symbol of the profound potential for empathy and selfless love that resides within each of us.
According to legend, Avalokiteshvara vowed to postpone his own Buddhahood until he had helped every sentient being achieve enlightenment. The vastness of human suffering initially overwhelmed him, causing his head to split into eleven pieces, and his body to shatter into a thousand fragments. Amitabha Buddha, witnessing his plight, used his divine power to reconstitute Avalokiteshvara, granting him eleven heads to hear the cries of the suffering world and a thousand arms to reach out and help.
Craftsmanship and Detail
This meticulously crafted piece, made of copper and gilded with gold, captures the grace and power of Avalokiteshvara. Measuring 14.0 x 11.0 x 6.0 inches, the statue presents the Bodhisattva seated in the lotus position, a posture of serene meditation. The intricate details, from the ornate crown adorned with turquoise and coral-colored stones, to the flowing robes and delicate hand gestures, are a testament to the skill of the Nepalese artisans.
The surface gleams with a rich golden hue, enhanced by the intricate carvings and design. This gilded finish enhances the statue’s spiritual aura, reflecting light and creating a focal point for meditation and reflection.Symbolism in Form
The multi-armed form of Avalokiteshvara is not merely decorative; it is rich with symbolic meaning. Each hand holds specific objects or gestures, known as mudras, that represent aspects of compassion and wisdom. Although all objects held are not clear from the original image provided, they are as follows: One hand typically holds a mala (prayer beads) to count mantras recited to benefit beings. Another holds a lotus flower, a symbol of purity and spiritual awakening. The gesture of Anjali mudra, or prayer, represents devotion.
The eleven heads represent Avalokiteshvara’s ability to perceive and respond to suffering in all directions, while the thousand arms signify his capacity to alleviate the suffering of countless beings simultaneously. The overall effect is a powerful visual representation of the Bodhisattva’s boundless compassion and unwavering commitment to the welfare of all. This statue serves as a reminder of the potential for compassion within ourselves, and our ability to make a positive impact on the world.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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