Green
Tara, the majestic deity of Buddhism associated with the compassion of
Avalokiteshvara and the powers of Amoghasiddhi is a celestial queen mother for
the practitioners of Buddhism. In this copper
statue of Green Tara sitting in meditation, she is portrayed as a lovely
maiden, exuding exqusiteness. Tara's left hand is raised in the
"Vitarka" mudra, or gesture of intelligent dialogue, with her right
hand open and her fingers pointing downward in the mudra of distributing
blessings. During meditation, Buddhists who concentrate on this form of the
Green Tara envision many precious gems and gifts emerging from her hand as a
symbol of her boundless giving.
The Bodhisattva of Compassion
This exquisitely crafted statue depicts Green Tara, a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism known as the "Mother of Liberation." She is instantly recognizable in her seated posture, representing a readiness to spring into action to aid those who call upon her. The delicate details of her face express a serene compassion, while her posture embodies both grace and unwavering strength. She is the embodiment of active compassion, always ready to offer comfort and assistance to those in need.
The crafting process itself is a devotion. Through careful manipulation, the artist's dedication mirrors the spiritual depth of the deity they depict. The copper glows warmly, catching the light and bringing a sense of vitality to the representation. The statue reflects not only an artistic achievement but a spiritual practice.The Legend of Tara
Tara is believed to have originated from the tears of Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, as he wept over the suffering of the world. From these tears sprang a lotus, and from that lotus emerged Tara. This origin story emphasizes her role as an active force of compassion, born from empathy and dedicated to alleviating suffering.
Another legend tells of a princess named Yeshe Dawa who vowed to continue working for the benefit of all beings until samsara, the cycle of rebirth, was emptied. Advised to pray to be reborn as a man to increase her effectiveness, she refused, declaring that there was no reason why she could not attain enlightenment in female form and continue to liberate beings. She then practiced intensely and ultimately attained enlightenment as Tara, vowing to always be reborn as a woman to serve others.Iconography and Symbolism
Tara's right hand is often shown in the varada mudra, the gesture of giving or generosity, symbolizing her willingness to grant blessings and aid to those who seek her help. Her left hand holds the stem of a lotus flower, symbolizing purity, spiritual awakening, and the potential for all beings to achieve enlightenment.
The ornamentation that adorns her form, including the crown and jewelry, are not merely decorative, but also symbolic. They represent her elevated spiritual status as a bodhisattva and the various qualities she embodies, such as wisdom, compassion, and skillful means. The lotus throne upon which she sits signifies her detachment from worldly concerns and her ability to transcend suffering.
This statue serves as a reminder of our own potential for compassion and the importance of actively working to alleviate the suffering of others. It is a beautiful addition to any home or meditation space, inviting a sense of peace, wisdom, and unwavering support.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.
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