Buddha in the Dhyana Mudra with Begging Bowl

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Name: Buddha in the Dhyana Mudra with Begging Bowl
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: EB24
Price: 260.00 USD
Availability: InStock

CA$371

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Specifications

	EB24
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 5.5 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.20 kg

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Stillness Within: Dhyana Mudra

This exquisite sculpture, meticulously handcrafted in Nepal, depicts the Buddha in the serene Dhyana Mudra. The Dhyana Mudra, also known as the meditation mudra, is a powerful symbol of profound contemplation and the attainment of enlightenment. It signifies the union of wisdom and method, achieved through the stillness of mind and body. The right hand is placed atop the left, with the palms facing upward and thumbs lightly touching, forming a mystic triangle that represents the spiritual fire within. In Buddhist iconography, this mudra is most famously associated with the moment Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya. It represents the culmination of his years of seeking, renouncing worldly pleasures, and engaging in deep meditation. Through unwavering focus and self-discipline, he transcended the limitations of the human condition and became the Buddha, the Awakened One. The Dhyana Mudra serves as a visual reminder of the power of inner peace and the potential for enlightenment that resides within each of us.

The Begging Bowl: An Act of Humility

The presence of the begging bowl, or *patra*, is another significant element in this depiction of the Buddha. The begging bowl represents the act of renunciation and the acceptance of alms. After achieving enlightenment, the Buddha embraced a life of simplicity and relied on the generosity of others for sustenance. Each morning, he would walk through the villages, silently accepting offerings of food from lay practitioners. This act was not merely about physical nourishment, but also about teaching humility, interdependence, and the importance of detachment from material possessions. The empty bowl symbolizes the emptying of the ego and the willingness to receive with gratitude. The begging bowl also tells the story of the four guardian kings, each of whom offered a bowl to the Buddha after he achieved enlightenment. The Buddha, not wanting to refuse any of their offerings, stacked the bowls one atop the other and miraculously combined them into a single bowl with four distinct rims, representing the union of the four directions and the universality of his teachings.

Crafted with Devotion

This magnificent sculpture is a testament to the skill and devotion of Nepalese artisans. Created from copper and gilded with radiant 24 karat gold, it possesses a timeless elegance and spiritual depth. Each detail, from the serene expression on the Buddha's face to the intricate folds of his robes, reflects a profound understanding of Buddhist iconography and artistic mastery. The statue measures 8.0 x 5.5 x 4.0 inches making it suitable for personal altars, meditation spaces, or as a cherished piece of art. Owning this piece is to connect with a rich cultural and spiritual heritage, inviting the qualities of peace, wisdom, and compassion into your life.

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.