Padmasambhava- the lotus-born teacher in Himalayan
Buddhism is the great master for innumerable students, who are guided by the
enlightened light of the teacher on the difficult path of their life. The
intricately adorned gilded copper Padmasambhava statue from Nepal depicts the
powerful master in an emotive mood, wearing his characteristic qualities
decorated with minute patterns and studded with stones. Vajra, a pot of
ambrosia, and a staff with three heads form the attributes of Padmasambhava in
this icon, on whose reverse is the thunderbolt and intricate detailing on the
robes of the master.
The Golden Lotus Throne of Guru Rinpoche
Behold a magnificent representation of Guru Padmasambhava, the Lotus-Born Master, an emanation of Buddha Amitabha and a paramount figure in Tibetan Buddhism. This exquisite copper statue, meticulously gilded with gold, captures the serene yet powerful presence of the Guru as he is traditionally depicted. Seated upon a beautifully rendered lotus pedestal, a symbol of purity and enlightenment, this piece emanates an aura of spiritual authority and profound wisdom.A Vision of the Second Buddha
Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, is revered as the "Second Buddha" for his pivotal role in establishing Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th century. Legend tells of his miraculous birth from a lotus flower in the Dhanakosha lake, hence his name. He was invited to Tibet by King Trisong Detsen to subdue negative forces and harmonize the land, ushering in an era of spiritual flourishing. This statue embodies his compassionate gaze, his serene composure, and the immense spiritual energy he is believed to possess.Symbolism and Craftsmanship
The rich gold gilding on the copper form signifies purity, luminosity, and the ultimate nature of reality. The intricate detailing of Guru Rinpoche's robes, adorned with vibrant precious stones, reflects the opulence of the celestial realms and the preciousness of the Dharma. In his left hand, he holds the Vajra, the diamond scepter representing indestructible wisdom and the means to cut through illusion. In his right hand, he grasps the Trishula, the triple-pronged staff symbolizing his mastery over the three realms of existence – past, present, and future – and his ability to overcome ignorance, attachment, and aversion. The serene expression and meditative posture invite contemplation and foster a deep sense of peace. The elaborate pedestal, a blooming lotus, is a testament to the masterful artistry, representing the unfolding of consciousness and the liberation from the cycle of suffering. This remarkable statue serves as a powerful focal point for meditation, devotion, and the pursuit of spiritual understanding, bringing the blessings and wisdom of Guru Rinpoche into any sacred space.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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