Ashtamangala Ritual Bowl with Lid and the Syllable OM MANI PADME HUM

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Name: Ashtamangala Ritual Bowl with Lid and the Syllable OM MANI PADME HUM
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZAD60
Price: 80.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$92

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZAD60
	Copper
	Height: 4.5 inch
	Width: 3.5 inch
	Depth: 3.5 inch
	Weight 200 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 Sacred Vessel

This copper ritual bowl, complete with a fitted lid, serves as more than just a decorative piece; it is a conduit for blessings, prayers, and offerings. Its intricate design and the sacred symbols it bears make it a powerful tool for spiritual practice and a beautiful reminder of the path to enlightenment. Crafted from copper, a metal long revered for its conductive properties, the bowl's form is reminiscent of ancient vessels used for holding sacred substances and performing time-honored rituals. It calls to mind images of monastic life, where such objects are integral to daily practice and devotion.

Ashtamangala: Eight Auspicious Symbols

Adorning the body of this vessel are representations of the Ashtamangala, or Eight Auspicious Symbols. These symbols, deeply rooted in both Hinduism and Buddhism, represent the offerings made to the Buddha upon his enlightenment. Each symbol carries unique significance: the lotus flower, symbolizing purity and spiritual awakening; the endless knot, representing the interconnectedness of all things; the victory banner, representing the triumph of wisdom over ignorance; the golden fishes, symbolizing happiness and freedom; the parasol, offering protection from suffering; the conch shell, proclaiming the Dharma; the vase, symbolizing abundance and wealth; and the wheel of Dharma, representing the teachings of the Buddha. These symbols, meticulously detailed, transform the bowl into a microcosm of auspiciousness, a constant reminder of the potential for enlightenment within ourselves. The presence of these symbols ensures that every offering made from this bowl is infused with their profound blessings.

Om Mani Padme Hum

Encircling the upper rim of the bowl, you'll find the sacred mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" meticulously etched into the copper. This six-syllable mantra is one of the most revered in Tibetan Buddhism, associated with Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Each syllable is believed to purify specific negative emotions and lead to the accumulation of wisdom and compassion. Chanting this mantra or simply keeping it in one's presence is said to bring blessings and protection. The inscription serves as a constant reminder to cultivate compassion and strive for enlightenment, infusing the bowl with the potent energy of this powerful mantra.

Spiritual Significance

This ritual bowl is ideally suited for a variety of spiritual practices. It can hold water for purification rituals, incense for creating a sacred atmosphere, or offerings of rice or other grains. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or simply seeking a tangible connection to your spiritual path, this bowl serves as a beautiful and potent reminder of the profound wisdom and compassion that lies within each of us. Let it be a focal point in your meditation practice or a treasured item on your altar, a constant source of inspiration and blessings.

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.