8" Guru Marpa Lotsawa Copper Statue from Nepal - The Teacher of Milarepa

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8" Guru Marpa Lotsawa Copper Statue from Nepal - The Teacher of Milarepa

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Name: 8" Guru Marpa Lotsawa Copper Statue from Nepal - The Teacher of Milarepa
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIS552
Price: 960.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$900

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Only 1 available

Guru Marpa Lotsawa, a Tibetan Buddhist luminary, is revered for his vital role as a translator of Indian Buddhist texts. His hands are seen positioned in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, symbolizing his connection to the Earth and enlightenment. The intricately carved robe on the statue signifies his role as a translator of Indian Buddhist texts and his commitment to spreading Buddhist teachings. The folds and patterns in the robe highlight the meticulous craftsmanship and dedication to the spiritual path.

The facial features are carefully sculpted, capturing a serene expression that conveys a sense of inner peace and deep contemplation. The eyes are slightly closed, emphasizing a meditative state, while the overall conduct emanates compassion and enlightenment. The wooden texture of the statue adds to its natural and grounding presence, evoking a sense of harmony and oneness with nature.

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Specifications

	MIS552
	Copper
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 7 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.40 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Ships in 1-3 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 Embodiment of Wisdom and Compassion

This exquisite copper statue from Nepal captures the serene presence of Guru Marpa Lotsawa, a pivotal figure in Tibetan Buddhism. Known as the "Great Translator," Marpa (1012-1097 CE) played a crucial role in transmitting the profound teachings of Indian Buddhism to Tibet. His life was a testament to unwavering dedication, arduous journeys, and the pursuit of enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. This statue, with its intricate details and lustrous copper finish, serves as a powerful reminder of his legacy.

A Spiritual Lineage of Transmission

Marpa is celebrated as one of the principal gurus of the Kagyu lineage, most notably as the devoted teacher of the enlightened yogi Milarepa. Their relationship is legendary, symbolizing the profound bond between master and disciple, and the sacred transmission of dharma. Marpa underwent immense hardship, undertaking three perilous journeys to India to receive teachings directly from masters like Naropa and Maitripa. He then dedicated his life to translating these scriptures into Tibetan, ensuring their preservation and accessibility for future generations. This statue honors that lineage of wisdom, a conduit from the land of the Buddha to the land of snows.

Artistry and Devotion in Copper

Crafted in Nepal, a region steeped in Buddhist artistic traditions, this statue showcases the skill of local artisans. The copper medium lends a warm, earthy tone to the sculpture, imbuing it with a sense of antiquity and spiritual gravitas. The serene expression on Marpa's face, his gentle smile, and the characteristic monastic robes are rendered with meticulous attention to detail. His posture, seated in a meditative pose, signifies inner peace and profound contemplation. The smooth, polished surface invites a sense of calm and reverence, making it a focal point for any spiritual practice or sacred space.

A Symbol of the Path to Enlightenment

The presence of this statue in your home or meditation space can serve as a constant inspiration. It represents the arduous yet ultimately rewarding path to awakening. Marpa's life story encourages perseverance in the face of obstacles, the importance of dedicated study, and the boundless compassion required to alleviate suffering. By meditating on his image, one can draw strength and guidance, striving to embody the principles of wisdom and kindness that he so powerfully represented. This statue is not merely an object of art; it is a tangible connection to a profound spiritual heritage and a beacon of hope on the journey towards enlightenment.

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.