The Embodiment of the Second Buddha
This exquisite statue depicts Guru Padmasambhava, a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism, often referred to as the "Lotus-Born" or the "Second Buddha." His legendary journey from India to Tibet in the 8th century marked the establishment and flourishing of Vajrayana Buddhism in the Himalayan region. Padmasambhava is credited with subduing local demons and negative forces, transforming them into protectors of the Dharma, and his teachings and spiritual lineage continue to guide millions.
Crafted with meticulous detail in Nepal, this statue is made of copper and lavishly gilded with pure gold. The lustrous gold finish reflects the sacred radiance and divine aura of Guru Rinpoche. He is seated in a posture of profound meditation and wisdom, his gaze serene and penetrating. His elaborate crown signifies his royal lineage and his mastery over the spiritual realms. The intricate detailing of his robes, adorned with gilded patterns, speaks to the rich artistry and devotion involved in its creation.
Symbolism and Iconography
In his left hand, Guru Padmasambhava holds a skull-cup, a potent symbol of impermanence and the transcendence of ego. The skull-cup is often filled with nectar, representing the enlightened essence of reality. In his right hand, he holds a vajra, the thunderbolt scepter that symbolizes indestructibility, ultimate truth, and the power to overcome delusion. The vajra also represents the skillful means used to cut through ignorance.
The statue is presented on an ornate pedestal, further enhanced with gold embellishments. The base, likely a lotus throne, is a common symbol in Buddhist art representing purity and spiritual awakening, as the lotus grows untainted from muddy waters. The overall composition of the statue emanates an aura of immense spiritual power, wisdom, and compassionate presence.
This representation of Padmasambhava serves as a powerful focal point for meditation, prayer, and devotion. It is believed that invoking his presence through such an image can help practitioners overcome obstacles, cultivate inner peace, and deepen their understanding of the Buddhist path. The craftsmanship and the profound spiritual significance of this statue make it a truly remarkable piece for any practitioner or collector 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.
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