8" Medicine Buddha With The Bowl of Medicine Herb

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

8" Medicine Buddha With The Bowl of Medicine Herb

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Name: 8" Medicine Buddha With The Bowl of Medicine Herb
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIU221
Price: 835.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$783

$1044

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	MIU221
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 5 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 15 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 Physician of the World

This exquisite statue depicts the Medicine Buddha, Bhaiṣajyaguru, a revered figure in Mahayana Buddhism. Known as the Buddha of Healing and Longevity, he is an embodiment of compassion and a source of solace for those suffering from physical and mental ailments. In Buddhist cosmology, the Medicine Buddha presides over the Eastern Pure Land of Lapuslazuli Light, a realm of pristine beauty and healing. He is often depicted with a serene countenance, symbolizing the profound peace that comes from overcoming suffering. This particular representation, crafted with meticulous detail and a rich gilding of gold over copper, captures the essence of this benevolent Bodhisattva. ––––––––––––––––––

A Symbol of Enlightenment and Well-being

The Medicine Buddha is recognized by his characteristic attributes. He is seated in the lotus position, a posture of meditation and spiritual attainment. In his left hand, resting in his lap, he holds a begging bowl, traditionally filled with the nectars of immortality and medicinal herbs. The right hand is often shown resting on his right knee, palm facing outward in the gesture of *vitarka mudra*, the gesture of teaching or argument, or pointing towards the ground in the *bhūmisparśa mudra*, the gesture of touching the earth. The presence of the bowl signifies his role as a dispenser of spiritual and physical healing, offering relief from the "poison" of ignorance, attachment, and aversion, which are seen as the root causes of all suffering. This statue, with its intricate detailing and lustrous golden finish, serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for transformation and the availability of divine aid. ––––––––––––––––––

Craftsmanship and Spiritual Significance

This statue is a testament to the rich artistic heritage of Nepal, where such sacred objects are traditionally crafted. The use of copper as a base material, brought to life by the radiant gilding of gold, reflects the reverence and devotion poured into its creation. Gold, in many spiritual traditions, symbolizes purity, divinity, and the illumination of the spirit. The detailed rendering of the Buddha's robes, adorned with intricate patterns, and the serene expression on his face, with downcast eyes conveying deep contemplation and compassion, are hallmarks of skilled Nepalese artistry. Whether placed in a meditation space, a home altar, or a sanctuary, this Medicine Buddha statue offers a focal point for prayer and meditation, inviting practitioners to connect with the healing energies and the profound wisdom of this enlightened being. It is an object designed not only to adorn a space but to uplift the spirit and foster a sense of well-being and spiritual growth.

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.