Ashtamangala Ritual Bowl with the Syllable Om Mani Padme Hum

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Name: Ashtamangala Ritual Bowl with the Syllable Om Mani Padme Hum
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XL22
Price: 95.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$109

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	XL22
	Copper
	Height: 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

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Return within 7 days of
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Fully Insured

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to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

A Vessel of Blessings

This exquisitely crafted ritual bowl serves as a powerful symbol and a practical tool for spiritual practice. Made of copper, its rich patina hints at ancient traditions and enduring faith. The intricate detailing, from the base to the ornate lid, speaks of devotion and skill. More than just a decorative object, this piece is designed to facilitate the flow of positive energy and auspicious blessings. The bowl invites contemplation and connection to the divine. Whether used for holding water, herbs, or other sacred offerings, it acts as a focal point for meditation and ritual. Imagine it gracing your altar or sacred space, a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things.

Ashtamangala: Eight Symbols of Good Fortune

Adorning the bowl are the Ashtamangala, the Eight Auspicious Symbols in Tibetan Buddhism. Each symbol carries profound meaning and represents different aspects of enlightenment and the Buddha's teachings. These symbols are said to bring good fortune, protection, and spiritual growth to those who contemplate them. Consider the Lotus, a symbol of purity, spiritual awakening, and detachment from suffering. The Parasol represents protection from negative influences and the suffering of samsara. The Treasure Vase symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and the inexhaustible riches of enlightenment. The Conch Shell represents the sound of the Dharma, awakening beings from ignorance. The Endless Knot symbolizes the interconnectedness of all things and the unending cycle of cause and effect. The Victory Banner signifies the triumph of wisdom over ignorance. The Golden Fish represent happiness, spontaneity, and freedom from fear. Finally, the Dharma Wheel signifies the Buddha's teachings and the path to liberation. Together, these symbols create a potent field of positive energy, inviting auspicious circumstances and spiritual growth into your life.

Om Mani Padme Hum: The Jewel in the Lotus

Emblazoned around the bowl's upper register is the sacred mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum." This six-syllable mantra is one of the most widely recited and beloved mantras in Tibetan Buddhism. It is associated with Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, who embodies boundless love and mercy for all beings. Each syllable of the mantra is believed to have a transformative effect, purifying negative emotions and promoting positive qualities. "Om" purifies pride, "Ma" purifies jealousy, "Ni" purifies passion, "Pad" purifies ignorance, "Me" purifies greed, and "Hum" purifies hatred. By reciting or contemplating this mantra, one can cultivate compassion, wisdom, and inner peace. Visualizing the syllables radiating light and dissolving negativity can bring about profound healing and spiritual transformation. This mantra is not merely a string of sounds but a powerful invocation of the Buddha's blessings and the potential for enlightenment within all beings.

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.