Buddha in the Dhyana Mudra

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Name: Buddha in the Dhyana Mudra
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: EN70
Price: 150.00 USD
Availability: InStock

₽11,591

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	EN70
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 5.6 inch
	Width: 4 inch
	Depth: 2.7 inch
	Weight 600 gm

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.

This meticulously crafted statue, hailing from Nepal, is not merely an object of art, but a powerful symbol of peace, enlightenment, and inner stillness. This piece will add tranquility and mindfulness to any space it occupies.

The Dhyana Mudra: A Gesture of Meditation

The statue depicts the Buddha in the Dhyana Mudra, a hand gesture deeply significant in Buddhist tradition. This mudra, often translated as the "meditation mudra," the "gesture of concentration," or the "wisdom mudra," is characterized by the hands resting in the lap, right hand placed on top of the left, palms facing upwards. The thumbs lightly touch, forming a symbolic triangle. This gesture represents the union of skillful means and wisdom, a harmonious balance essential for achieving enlightenment. Legend has it that the Buddha adopted the Dhyana Mudra during his final meditation under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, moments before attaining enlightenment. It was in this posture that he faced the temptations of Mara, the demon of illusion, and transcended all worldly attachments. The Dhyana Mudra, therefore, embodies the Buddha's unwavering focus, his profound inner peace, and his ultimate triumph over suffering. It serves as a constant reminder of the path to enlightenment, urging practitioners to cultivate mindfulness and concentration in their own lives.

Craftsmanship and Materials

This striking statue is a testament to the skill and artistry of Nepalese artisans. Cast in copper, the statue is then meticulously gilded with 24 Karat gold. The application of gold bestows a radiant luster, emphasizing the Buddha's divine nature and embodying the purity and enlightenment he represents. The use of traditional techniques, passed down through generations, ensures that each piece is unique and imbued with a sense of spiritual significance. With dimensions of 5.6 x 4.0 x 2.7 inches, this statue can fit in any sacred space in your home.

Cultural Context: Nepalese Art and Buddhism

Nepal holds a revered place in Buddhist history, being the birthplace of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. The artistic traditions of Nepal are deeply intertwined with Buddhism, reflecting the profound influence of the Dharma on the country's culture and society. Nepalese artisans have long been renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship in creating sacred art, including statues, thangkas (painted scrolls), and ritual objects. These works are not only objects of beauty but are also powerful tools for meditation, contemplation, and spiritual practice. Owning this statue is an opportunity to bring a piece of this rich artistic and spiritual heritage into your home.

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.