Guru Marpa Wearing a Sophisticated Carved Robe

•

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Guru Marpa Wearing a Sophisticated Carved Robe

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Name: Guru Marpa Wearing a Sophisticated Carved Robe
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: NLH042
Price: 985.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$923.25

$1231

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Marpa is famous in Tibet as a translator of Indian Buddhist texts and as the spiritual teacher of Milarepa, the much loved saint. Before seeking Marpa as his teacher, Milarepa had mastered the art magic in order to take revenge on unscrupulous relatives. Full of remorse at the death and destruction he had wrought, Milarepa began to long for Buddhist instruction. He was referred to Marpa by another teacher who was unable to provide effective instruction. As a means of nullifying the effects of Milarepa's previous misdeeds, Marpa chose to withhold the teachings that Milarepa sought. Eventually, seeing that his long suffering disciple was at last ready for teachings, Marpa communicated all that he knew. Milarepa achieved spiritual liberation and henceforth praised his beloved guru, Marpa.

Here Marpa sits wearing a robe decorated with awesome carvings, which extend even down to his seat. Although he was a highly accomplished Buddhist master, Marpa neither founded nor joined a Buddhist institution, choosing instead to remain a married householder, landowner and businessman.

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	NLH042
	Copper With Gold
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 7 inch
	Depth: 4.5 inch
	Weight 1.60 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 6 days
	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Resplendent Form of Marpa the Translator

This exquisite statue captures the essence of Marpa Lotsawa, the Tibetan yogi and translator who played a pivotal role in the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet. Revered as one of the most influential figures in the Kagyu lineage, Marpa's life story is one of arduous journeys, profound wisdom, and unwavering dedication to the Dharma. His legacy is preserved through such sacred representations, allowing devotees to connect with his spiritual power and teachings. The statue itself is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship. Fashioned from copper and adorned with a lustrous gold plating, it radiates a divine aura. The intricate details of Marpa's robes are a marvel to behold. Each fold and drape is meticulously carved, adorned with delicate patterns that speak of a rich artistic tradition. These swirling motifs are not merely decorative; they often symbolize the cosmic order, the interconnectedness of all things, and the boundless compassion of enlightened beings. The subtle play of light on the gilded surface enhances the three-dimensionality of the carving, imbuing the figure with a lifelike presence.

A Portrait of Wisdom and Devotion

Marpa, often referred to as "the Great Translator," was born in the 11th century in the village of Parse in Lhokha, Tibet. His spiritual journey was marked by numerous perilous treks to India and Nepal, where he studied under some of the most accomplished Buddhist masters of his time, including Naropa and Maitripa. His dedication to learning and translating the vast body of Buddhist scriptures earned him immense respect and solidified his place as a foundational figure in Tibetan Buddhism. This statue portrays Marpa in a serene seated posture, indicative of deep meditation and inner peace. His facial features are rendered with a gentle expression, his eyes conveying wisdom and compassion. The slight smile suggests a profound understanding of the nature of reality and a sense of benevolent grace. The traditional monastic attire, rendered with such fidelity, signifies his commitment to the monastic path and his role as a spiritual guide. The gold finish symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and the radiant nature of the Buddha-mind.

Cultural Significance and Artistic Excellence

The creation of such statues is a sacred practice in Nepalese Buddhist art. These sculptures serve not only as objects of veneration but also as visual aids for meditation and contemplation. They embody the spiritual aspirations of the artisans and the patrons who commission them, aiming to bring blessings and enlightenment to the world. The use of copper as a base provides durability and a foundation for the precious gold embellishment, a technique that has been perfected over centuries in the workshops of Nepal. The detailed patterns on the robe are reminiscent of mandalas, intricate geometric diagrams that represent the universe in Buddhist cosmology. Their presence here suggests Marpa's mastery over these complex spiritual concepts and his ability to guide others towards understanding them. This statue is more than just an artifact; it is a tangible connection to a lineage of enlightened masters and a beacon of spiritual inspiration for all who behold it.

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.