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Buddha in the Bhumisparsha Mudra

$173
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Specifications
EN72
Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
Height: 5.7 inch
Width: 3.7 inch
Depth: 3 inch
Weight 600 gm
Delivery and Return Policies
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Touching the Earth: A Gesture of Enlightenment

This exquisite statue, meticulously crafted in Nepal, captures the serene essence of the Buddha in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, or "Earth Witnessing" gesture. The intricate details, from the curls of his hair to the gentle curve of his lips, speak to the mastery of Nepalese artisans. The copper base, lavishly gilded with 24 karat gold, radiates a warm and inviting light, adding to the spiritual aura of the piece. Place it in your home or meditation space as a reminder of the power of unwavering resolve and the potential for enlightenment within us all.

The Story Behind the Mudra

The Bhumisparsha Mudra is one of the most recognizable and significant hand gestures in Buddhist iconography. It directly relates to the pivotal moment in Siddhartha Gautama's journey towards enlightenment. As the story goes, Siddhartha, seated beneath the Bodhi tree, was on the verge of achieving complete understanding. Mara, the demon of illusion and temptation, tried to dissuade him, conjuring a host of alluring visions and fearful demons to break his concentration. Mara challenged Siddhartha's right to attain enlightenment. In response, Siddhartha reached out his right hand to touch the earth, calling upon the Earth Goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness to his countless lifetimes of virtuous deeds and unwavering dedication. The Earth roared in affirmation, dispelling Mara's doubts and solidifying Siddhartha's path to becoming the Buddha.

Craftsmanship and Materials

This remarkable statue is crafted from copper, an auspicious metal often used in sacred objects due to its conductivity and durability. The rich hue of the copper provides a beautiful base for the opulent layer of 24 karat gold. Gold, traditionally associated with purity, divinity, and enlightenment, elevates the statue's presence and symbolizes the Buddha's transcended state. The meticulous gilding process ensures that the gold adheres seamlessly to the copper, creating a radiant and enduring finish. Each detail of the statue has been carefully considered and executed, resulting in a piece of art that embodies both spiritual meaning and exceptional craftsmanship.

A Timeless Piece for Your Sanctuary

Measuring 5.7 x 3.7 x 3.0 inches, this statue is perfectly sized for a variety of settings. Whether placed on a meditation altar, a bookshelf, or a side table, it will undoubtedly add a touch of peace and inspiration to your surroundings. This representation of the Buddha in the Bhumisparsha Mudra serves not only as a beautiful object but also as a constant reminder of the power of inner strength and the possibility of overcoming any obstacle on the path to wisdom and compassion. Let it inspire you to connect with your own inner strength and achieve your full potential.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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