Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra

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Name: Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: EN57
Price: 220.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$253

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Specifications

	EN57
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 5.5 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.60 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Sacred Gesture of Enlightenment

Behold a stunning representation of the Buddha, radiating serenity and power. This meticulously crafted sculpture depicts the enlightened one in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, a gesture deeply rich in symbolism and historical significance. This mudra, also known as the "earth-touching gesture," marks a pivotal moment in the Buddha's journey to enlightenment. It captures the very instant Siddhartha Gautama transformed into the Buddha, making this piece not just a beautiful objet d'art, but a tangible connection to the heart of Buddhist philosophy. The right hand extends downward, fingers brushing the earth in a call for it to witness the Buddha's unwavering resolve in the face of temptation. The left hand rests in the lap, palm upward, signifying meditation and receptivity.

A Glimpse into the Legend

The story of the Bhumisparsha Mudra is woven into the tapestry of the Buddha's enlightenment. As Siddhartha Gautama sat beneath the Bodhi tree, Mara, the demon of illusion, fear, and death, assailed him with temptations and doubts, trying to break his concentration and prevent him from attaining enlightenment. Mara unleashed his armies, his daughters, and every conceivable distraction to shake Siddhartha's resolve. Siddhartha remained steadfast, unmoved by these trials. When Mara challenged Siddhartha's right to seek enlightenment, Siddhartha simply touched the earth with his right hand. In that moment, the Earth Goddess, Prithvi, arose and testified to Siddhartha's countless lifetimes of good deeds and merit that qualified him for Buddhahood. Mara and his forces were vanquished, and Siddhartha, now the Buddha, achieved enlightenment. The Bhumisparsha Mudra, therefore, is not just a hand gesture, but a profound statement of unwavering determination, unshakable faith, and the ultimate triumph over adversity.

Nepalese Craftsmanship, Enduring Beauty

This exquisite sculpture is a testament to the artistic traditions of Nepal. The sculpture is fashioned from copper, a material prized for its durability and malleability, allowing for the intricate details of the Buddha's form and the lotus pedestal upon which he sits. The sculpture is then gilded with 24 Karat gold, lending it a radiant, celestial glow. Gold, a symbol of purity, wealth, and enlightenment, enhances the sacred nature of the piece, transforming it into a devotional object of exceptional beauty. Measuring 8.0 inches in height, 5.5 inches in width, and 4.0 inches in depth, this sculpture is perfectly sized for display on an altar, shelf, or desk, serving as a constant reminder of the path to inner peace and wisdom. The serene expression of the Buddha, the flowing lines of his robes, and the meticulous attention to detail all contribute to a work of art that is both visually stunning and spiritually uplifting. Bring the power of enlightenment and the exquisite artistry of Nepal into your home with this exceptional Buddha sculpture.

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.