Buddha in the Bhumisparsha Mudra with Vajra in His Hands (Rare)

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Name: Buddha in the Bhumisparsha Mudra with Vajra in His Hands (Rare)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: EB96
Price: 260.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$299

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Specifications

	EB96
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 5.5 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.30 kg

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

Echoes of Enlightenment

This exquisitely crafted Nepalese sculpture captures the profound moment of the Buddha's enlightenment. Hand-cast in copper and meticulously gilded with 24-karat gold, this piece embodies the serene presence and spiritual power associated with Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. The sculpture depicts the Buddha seated in the lotus position, a posture symbolizing purity and transcendence.

The Call to Witness: Bhumisparsha Mudra

The defining gesture of this statue is the Bhumisparsha Mudra, often translated as the "earth-touching" gesture. This mudra is deeply significant, representing the precise moment when Siddhartha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Mara, the demon of illusion and temptation, had attempted to dissuade him from his path. Mara sent forth armies of terrifying demons and seductive daughters to break the Buddha's concentration. Undeterred, the Buddha reached down and touched the earth with his right hand, calling upon the earth goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness to his countless lifetimes of virtue and accumulated merit. The earth trembled, and Sthavara confirmed the Buddha's right to enlightenment, causing Mara and his forces to flee in disarray. The Bhumisparsha Mudra, therefore, symbolizes unwavering resolve, the overcoming of obstacles, and the ultimate triumph of truth and wisdom. It is a potent reminder that even amidst the greatest challenges, enlightenment is attainable through dedication and inner strength.

The Vajra: Thunderbolt of Transformation

Adding another layer of significance to this particular sculpture is the presence of the Vajra held in the Buddha's left hand. The Vajra, meaning "thunderbolt" or "diamond," is a ritual object representing indestructibility, power, and compassion. In Tibetan Buddhism, it is a symbol of the union of skillful means and wisdom. It also represents the diamond-like nature of the mind, which can cut through ignorance and attachment. The inclusion of the Vajra signifies the transformative power of the Buddha's teachings and the ability to overcome any obstacle on the path to enlightenment. It also adds a deeper layer to the statue, blending the themes of enlightenment and the dynamic nature of Buddhist practice.

A Legacy of Craftsmanship

This sculpture is a testament to the skill and dedication of Nepalese artisans, whose traditions of metalworking and gilding have been passed down through generations. The 24-karat gold gilding not only enhances the visual splendor of the statue but also symbolizes the preciousness of the Buddha's teachings. The intricate details, from the delicate features of the Buddha's face to the meticulously rendered folds of his robe, reflect the artist's reverence for the subject matter. Dimensions: 8.0 x 5.5 x 4.0 inches, this statue is suitable for display in a home shrine, meditation space, or as a cherished art piece, inviting peace and reflection.

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.