Amitabha Buddha

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Name: Amitabha Buddha
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XT77
Price: 260.00 USD
Availability: InStock

NZ$451

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	XT77
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 9 inch
	Width: 5.5 inch
	Depth: 3.5 inch
	Weight 1.29 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	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 Buddha of Limitless Light

This meticulously crafted statue portrays a powerful figure revered in many Buddhist traditions. The figure emanates serenity and wisdom, reflecting the profound teachings associated with this enlightened being. Every detail, from the intricate crown to the gentle curve of the hands, speaks to the devotion and skill poured into its creation. The radiant sheen comes from the statue’s gilding of 24 Karat Gold.

Celestial Origins and Boundless Compassion

In the vast tapestry of Buddhist cosmology, this Buddha embodies the qualities of boundless light and immeasurable life. Often invoked in Pure Land Buddhism, he presides over Sukhavati, the Western Paradise, a realm of bliss and enlightenment. The belief is that by sincerely calling upon his name, devotees can be reborn into this pure land, free from suffering and perfectly positioned to attain enlightenment. The origins of this Buddha can be traced back to the bodhisattva Dharmakara, who made a series of great vows to alleviate the suffering of all beings. After countless eons of practice, he fulfilled these vows and became the Buddha we see depicted here, a testament to the power of compassion and unwavering dedication. His story exemplifies the potential for all beings to achieve enlightenment through diligent practice and unwavering faith.

Iconography of Enlightenment

The statue depicts the Buddha in a meditative pose, with hands resting in the lap in the Dhyana Mudra, a gesture symbolizing deep contemplation and inner peace. This mudra, also known as the meditation mudra, underscores the importance of introspection and mindfulness on the path to enlightenment. The elaborate crown is adorned with intricate details, representing the multifaceted nature of wisdom and the attainment of Buddhahood. The peaceful countenance reflects a state of perfect equanimity, free from the disturbances of the world. The lotus upon which the figure sits signifies purity and spiritual awakening. Just as the lotus rises from muddy waters to bloom in pristine beauty, so too can individuals transcend the defilements of samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth) to achieve enlightenment. The use of copper as a base material contributes to the statue's durability and timelessness, ensuring that it will remain a cherished object for generations to come. The rich, golden hue evokes the radiance of enlightenment, serving as a constant reminder of the potential for inner transformation.

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.