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24" Tibetan Buddhist Phurpa

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Name: 24" Tibetan Buddhist Phurpa
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIT140
Price: 2385.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$2235.75

$2981

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

The Phurba serves a sacred role in the Highest Yoga Tantra practices and possesses the ability to bestow blessings while also serving as a tool for dispelling delusions.

Its blade, with its three sharp edges, embodies the concept of severing the three fundamental root poisons: ignorance, greed, and aggression. Taking on a fiery triangular form, it embodies the vajra's nature, signifying the realization of emptiness as a powerful vajra-wrath that incinerates and cuts through the flames of hatred. Emerging from the head of a Makara, a creature with both terrestrial and aquatic qualities, the Makara's head symbolizes the Phurba's fierce and unwavering might as an indestructible weapon. Additionally, pairs of coiling naga-serpents descend from the Makara's mouth within each of the three blade recesses.

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Specifications

	MIT140
	Copper with Brass and iron
	Height: 24 inch
	Width: 7 inch
	Depth: 7 inch
	Weight 3.70 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 6 days
	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Phurpa: A Conductor of Spiritual Power

This magnificent ritual implement, a phurpa, stands as a testament to the profound symbolism and intricate artistry of Tibetan Buddhism. Crafted from sturdy copper with accents of brass and iron, its considerable size of 24 inches allows for a commanding presence, making it a focal point in any sacred space. The phurpa, also known as a kīla or phurbu, is not merely an object but a powerful tool used in tantric practices to overcome obstacles, subdue negative forces, and facilitate spiritual transformation.

Symbolism and Divine Representation

The phurpa's design is rich with meaning. At its apex rests a fierce and multi-faced visage, evoking the wrathful deities of Tibetan Buddhism, such as Mahakala or Hayagriva. These powerful figures, with their stern expressions and intricate headdresses, are not figures of malevolence but of fierce protection. They embody the wisdom and compassion that cuts through illusion and ignorance, akin to Indra's thunderbolt or Kali's destructive yet liberating power. The guardian faces symbolize the vanquishing of inner demons and external hindrances, clearing the path for spiritual progress. The elaborate crown atop the face represents the dominion over all realms of existence.

The Serpent and the Triple Blade

Below the divine visage, intertwined serpents coil, representing the binding and controlling of destructive energies. Their scales shimmer, hinting at the serpentine kundalini power that, when awakened, can lead to spiritual enlightenment. The phurpa then transitions into its most striking feature: the triple-bladed structure. Each blade represents a specific aspect of overcoming negativity: the first blade destroys ignorance and delusion, the second overcomes attachment and aversion, and the third severs the root of suffering, samsara. The heads of fearsome creatures, possibly mythical beasts like the makara or mythical beasts from Himalayan folklore, emerge from the central shaft, their jaws open as if to consume or subdue any lingering negativity. The entire structure culminates in a sharp point, designed to pierce through the veil of illusion and ground the practitioner in reality.

A Legacy of Ritual and Protection

The base of the phurpa is intricately carved, providing a stable foundation for this potent ritual object. This detail suggests its grounding in the earthly realm while its spiritual function elevates it beyond. Historically, the phurpa was used in initiation ceremonies, exorcisms, and various tantric rituals to purify space, protect the practitioner, and subdue malevolent spirits. It is believed that when a phurpa is ritually driven into the ground, it anchors spiritual power and creates a protected sacred space, much like the mythical arrow of Rama that could demarcate and purify vast territories. The materials themselves – copper, brass, and iron – have been traditionally associated with various energies and alchemical properties in many cultures, adding another layer of symbolic significance to this extraordinary piece. This phurpa is not just an artifact; it is a conduit for spiritual power, a guardian against obstacles, and a profound expression of Buddhist philosophy and art.

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.