7" Copper Tibetan Buddhist Five-Pronged Vajra

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7" Copper Tibetan Buddhist Five-Pronged Vajra

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$483

$644

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Only 1 available

Five-Pronged Ritual Object or Dorje Ngadrama in Tibetan Buddhism, serves a ceremonial purpose in rituals. Its structure includes a central shaft and five prongs that resemble lotus petals, symbolizing the Five Wisdom Buddhas and their purified aspects of enlightenment within the five aggregates.

Each prong represents a specific Wisdom Buddha, with Vairocana at the center and Akshobhya (east), Ratnasambhava (south), Amitabha (west), and Amoghasiddhi (north) at the cardinal points. This Vajra is a potent symbol, embodying the balanced and purified qualities associated with these Buddhas. In ritual practices, it is utilized to invoke transformative energies linked to enlightened beings. Overall, the 5-pronged Vajra signifies indestructibility and the ability to cut through ignorance as one traverses the path to enlightenment.

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Specifications

	MIT236
	Copper
	Height: 2 inch
	Width: 7 inch
	Depth: 2 inch
	Weight 700 gm

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.

A Symbol of Unshakeable Truth and Wisdom

This exquisite copper artifact embodies the profound spiritual essence of Tibetan Buddhism. More than just an object of beauty, it serves as a powerful symbol and ritual implement, echoing the timeless teachings of enlightenment and spiritual awakening. Its intricate design and rich metallic sheen speak to a tradition steeped in millennia of practice and devotion.

The Enduring Power of the Vajra

The vajra, meaning "thunderbolt" or "diamond" in Sanskrit, is a central symbol in Vajrayana Buddhism, representing the indestructible and unstoppable nature of enlightenment, compassion, and wisdom. It is often paired with the ghanta (bell), symbolizing the union of wisdom and compassion, the inseparable duality of reality. This particular piece, with its five prongs, signifies the five Dhyani Buddhas, who embody different aspects of enlightened consciousness, and also represents the five elements. The central sphere is thought to represent the primal essence from which all phenomena arise. The fearsome yet protective heads that emerge from the center are often depicted as Makaras or other mythical beasts, symbolizing the taming of negative forces and the subjugation of ignorance.

Crafted with Devotion

Meticulously crafted from durable copper, this vajra is a testament to the skilled artisans of Nepal, a region deeply interwoven with the spiritual heritage of Buddhism. The warm, earthy tones of the copper are further enhanced by its detailed sculpting, revealing every curve and nuance of its symbolic form. The weight and feel of the object in hand evoke a sense of grounded power, a tangible connection to the sacred. It is an object designed not merely for display, but for active engagement in spiritual practice, meditation, and contemplation.

A Vessel for Inner Transformation

In Buddhist rituals, the vajra is held in the right hand and used to symbolize the shattering of ignorance, delusion, and obstacles on the path to enlightenment. It is a reminder that the mind, like a diamond, possesses an inherent brilliance and indestructibility, capable of cutting through the illusions of the material world. Possessing such an object can serve as a constant touchstone, drawing one back to the core principles of Buddhist philosophy – the pursuit of wisdom, the cultivation of compassion, and the realization of one's true, enlightened nature. This beautifully rendered copper vajra offers a tangible connection to these profound spiritual ideals, serving as a beacon of inner strength and clarity in your personal practice or as a significant piece in your collection of sacred 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.