Bhumisparsha Buddha

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Name: Bhumisparsha Buddha
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ED56
Price: 220.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$253

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ED56
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.60 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Touching the Earth

This exquisite copper sculpture, gilded with 24 Karat gold, captures a pivotal moment in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. The gesture depicted, known as the Bhumisparsha Mudra, translates to "touching the earth" and represents the Buddha's unwavering resolve and victory over temptation and doubt. It is a visual embodiment of the moment enlightenment was achieved. The figure sits in the lotus position, a posture of deep meditation, upon an intricately designed pedestal. The right hand extends downward, fingers gently touching the earth, while the left hand rests in the lap, palm upward. The serene expression on the Buddha's face reflects the inner peace and wisdom attained after years of dedicated practice. The robe drapes elegantly over the figure, its folds emphasized by the contrasting shades and gilded accents, creating a sense of movement and depth.

The Tale of the Temptation

The story behind the Bhumisparsha Mudra is central to Buddhist teachings. Before becoming the Buddha, Siddhartha sat beneath the Bodhi tree, determined to achieve enlightenment. Mara, the demon of illusion and temptation, unleashed his armies and daughters to dissuade him. Mara challenged Siddhartha’s right to sit on the seat of enlightenment, claiming it for himself. In response, Siddhartha calmly reached down and touched the earth. This simple gesture invoked the Earth Goddess, who rose up to testify to Siddhartha's countless acts of merit and selfless devotion throughout his previous lives. The Earth Goddess, symbolizing the ultimate witness, affirmed his worthiness to attain enlightenment, causing Mara and his forces to flee in disarray. This decisive moment cemented Siddhartha's triumph over worldly temptations, marking his transformation into the Buddha.

Artisanship and Symbolism

Crafted from copper and lavishly gilded with 24 Karat gold, this sculpture radiates a sense of reverence and timelessness. The use of gold, a symbol of purity and divinity, enhances the sacredness of the image. The intricate details, from the delicately rendered facial features to the ornate lotus petal base, reflect the skill and dedication of the artisan. The Bhumisparsha Mudra not only commemorates a specific event but also serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for all beings to overcome adversity and attain enlightenment. Displaying this sculpture can serve as a constant source of inspiration and a reminder of the importance of inner strength and unwavering determination on the path to self-discovery.

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.