Ashtamangala Large Prayer Wheel

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Name: Ashtamangala Large Prayer Wheel
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: RH39
Price: 360.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$337.50

$450

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	RH39
	Brass with Copper and Wood
	Height: 25 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 6 inch
	Weight 970 gm

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 Turning of the Wheel

Imagine holding in your hands not just an object, but a conduit to profound spiritual practice. This prayer wheel is crafted to be a focal point for meditation and mantra recitation, bringing the ancient traditions of Tibetan Buddhism into your home. The cylinder, composed of brass and copper, is designed to hold countless repetitions of sacred mantras, typically "Om Mani Padme Hum," the mantra of compassion. With each rotation, you symbolically and actively disseminate these prayers and blessings out into the world, benefiting all sentient beings. The weight and feel of the prayer wheel are important. The solidity of the metal casing contributes to a sense of presence, while the smooth turning mechanism allows for effortless rotation. This continuous motion is a physical representation of the cyclical nature of existence, of the Dharma's constant turning, and of the flow of positive energy.

Symbols of Auspiciousness

Encircling the body of the wheel, are the Ashtamangala, the Eight Auspicious Symbols. These are a group of symbols that appear throughout Tibetan Buddhist art and teachings, each representing a different aspect of enlightenment and good fortune. The Lotus flower is representative of purity and renunciation, sprouting from muddy waters to reveal exquisite beauty. The Endless Knot symbolizes the interwoven nature of all things, the interconnectedness of wisdom and compassion. The Victory Banner represents the triumph of wisdom over ignorance. The Two Golden Fish embody auspiciousness and freedom from the constraints of samsara. The Dharma Wheel itself represents the teachings of Buddha. The Treasure Vase is symbolic of inexhaustible wealth, both material and spiritual. The Conch Shell is symbolic of the courage to preach the dharma. Lastly, the Parasol symbolizes protection from suffering. These powerful symbols, meticulously rendered in metal, serve as a constant reminder of the path to enlightenment and the boundless potential for compassion within us all. They are not merely decorative elements; they are active participants in the blessings generated through the wheel's turning.

Craftsmanship and Presence

The prayer wheel stands at 25 inches tall, making it a striking addition to any meditation space or home altar. The handle, crafted from wood, provides a grounding element and a connection to the natural world. The meticulous construction ensures its beauty and functionality will endure for years to come. It is a tangible connection to centuries of Buddhist tradition, providing a focal point for practice and a reminder of the possibility of 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.

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.