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9" Guru Padmasambhava Statue from Nepal | Nepalese Copper Statue

$581.25
$775
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Guru Padmasambhava, in his profound symbolism, embodies the essential teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. His single face signifies that all phenomena share a single underlying nature. The two hands represent the union of skilful means and wisdom. His complexion, white tinged with red, represents the inseparable unity of bliss and emptiness. His attire, comprising a monastic robe, brocade cloak, and gown, signifies his mastery of various Buddhist vehicles.

 

Holding a five-pronged golden vajra in his right hand, he confronts dualistic clinging and harmful concepts, demonstrating his power to eliminate them. In his left hand, he carries a kapala (skull cup) with a long-life vase, showcasing his ability to guide and liberate beings through the resultant vehicle and grant longevity and vitality. These symbols encapsulate profound spiritual concepts and teachings within Tibetan Buddhism.

Specifications
MIS618
Copper with Gold Plated
Height: 9 inch
Width: 6 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
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 Glorious Embodiment of Guru Rinpoche

This exquisite 9-inch statue captures the divine presence of Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, the Lotus-Born. Revered as the second Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism, his advent is prophesied to bring enlightenment to all beings. Crafted with meticulous detail from copper and adorned with a resplendent gold plating, this Nepalese masterpiece radiates an aura of profound spirituality and timeless wisdom. The statue depicts Guru Rinpoche in a posture of serene contemplation, seated upon an intricately designed lotus throne, symbolizing purity and spiritual awakening.

A Divine Symphony of Iconography

The artistry of this statue is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Nepal. Guru Rinpoche is adorned in regal attire, reflecting his royal lineage and his role as a spiritual king. The elaborate robes are intricately etched with auspicious patterns, showcasing the skill of the artisans. His serene countenance, with piercing yet compassionate eyes, and a gentle smile, invites devotion and introspection. The statue holds symbolic objects, including a vajra in his left hand, representing indestructibility, and a skull-cup filled with nectar, symbolizing the transcendence of mortality. In his right hand, he holds a symbolic khatvanga staff, a tantric implement that signifies the mastery over the elements and the subdual of negative forces. The elaborate headdress, often seen on depictions of Padmasambhava, further signifies his status as a celestial being and a master of yogic practices. The subtle turquoise and red accents on the jewelry and the staff add vibrant touches, further enhancing the statue's visual appeal and symbolic depth.

The Legacy of the Lotus-Born

Guru Padmasambhava's life is intertwined with miraculous tales and profound teachings. Born from a lotus flower in the mystical land of Oddiyana, he traveled to Tibet at the behest of King Trisong Detsen in the 8th century CE. There, he is credited with subduing hostile spirits and establishing Buddhism as the dominant religion. His teachings, particularly the esoteric Vajrayana practices, have shaped the spiritual landscape of the Himalayas for centuries. He is also known for his profound connection with the elements and his ability to manifest in various forms to guide sentient beings. The presence of this statue in your home is believed to invoke his blessings, offering protection, wisdom, and spiritual progress. Each detail, from the hand gesture (mudra) signifying the teaching or blessing, to the placement of his limbs, carries profound spiritual significance, inviting a deeper connection with the teachings of this revered master. This statue is not merely an object of art but a sacred conduit, a tangible representation of a spiritual lineage that has guided countless souls towards liberation.

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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