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MADE IN INDIA.

21" Lord Bhumisparsha Buddha Idol From Nepal

$3375
Includes any tariffs and taxes

This magnificent artwork depicts the Buddha in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, also known as the “earth-touching gesture”. This mudra represents the moment the Buddha attained enlightenment under the bodhi tree when he asked the earth goddess Sthavara to bear witness to his attainment of enlightenment. Bhumisparsha Mudra is formed with all five fingers extended to touch the ground. The left hand, held flat in the lap in the dhyana mudra of meditation, and the right hand, placed upon the right knee in the earth-pressing mudra, represent the union of method and wisdom, samsara and nirvana, as well as the realisations of the conventional and ultimate truths. It is said that ‘Lord Buddha', sitting in this posture, conquered Mara’s obstacles by meditating on Truth.

 

The gold accents lend a dash of elegance and shine, while the copper base offers a strong basis. The statue’s beauty is enhanced by the delicate inlay work of precious and semi-precious stones, which reflects the vivid hues of enlightenment. With its fine craftsmanship and ornamentation, the statue of Lord Buddha serves as a magnificent embodiment of enlightenment and compassion.

Specifications
MIS634
COPPER WITH GOLD
Height: 21 inch
Width: 13 inch
Depth: 9 inch
Weight 12.60 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Earth-Witnessing Buddha: A Symbol of Enlightenment

This exquisite 21-inch statue depicts Lord Buddha in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, a powerful and significant gesture in Buddhist iconography. Crafted with meticulous detail in copper and finished with a radiant gold plating, this idol embodies the very moment of Buddha's enlightenment, a pivotal event in the history of spiritual awakening. The intricate gold work and the precious stone embellishments speak to the unparalleled artistry of Nepalese craftsmanship, making this piece a true masterpiece.

The Story of Enlightenment

The Bhumisparsha Mudra, meaning "earth-touching gesture," symbolizes the victory of Buddha over the temptations of Mara, the demon lord who sought to distract him from achieving enlightenment. According to legend, as Siddhartha Gautama sat in deep meditation beneath the Bodhi tree, Mara unleashed his fiercest attacks, employing desire, anger, and pride to break his resolve. Unwavering, Siddhartha extended his right hand, touching the earth. The earth itself bore witness to his steadfastness and virtue, rising up to affirm his right to enlightenment. This gesture signifies the deep connection between the awakened mind and the natural world, and the ultimate triumph of wisdom over illusion. This statue captures that profound moment, radiating a sense of peace, power, and unwavering determination.

A Testament to Nepalese Artistry

Hailing from Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual heritage and renowned for its devotional art, this statue is a testament to centuries-old artistic traditions. The use of copper as a base provides a durable and lustrous foundation, while the application of gold plating imbues the figure with a divine aura. The elaborate detailing on the robes, the serene expression on Buddha's face, and the intricately designed aureole all showcase the skill and dedication of the artisans. The lotus throne, adorned with symbolic patterns and studded with vibrant turquoise and coral-like stones, further elevates the sacredness and visual appeal of this magnificent creation. Owning this Bhumisparsha Buddha idol is not just acquiring a beautiful object, but inviting the essence of enlightenment and the rich cultural heritage of Nepal into your 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.
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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.
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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.
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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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