Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava)

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Name: Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: RR84
Price: 470.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$541

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Specifications

	RR84
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 9 inch
	Width: 5.5 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.32 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Lotus-Born: A Glimpse into Eternity

This exquisite copper sculpture, gilded with 24-karat gold, brings the profound presence of Guru Rinpoche into your space. Every curve and detail of this piece has been meticulously crafted to capture the essence of this revered figure, a pivotal force in the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet. More than just a decorative item, it stands as a potent symbol of spiritual strength and transformative potential. Born miraculously from a lotus blossom in the land of Oddiyana, Padmasambhava, whose name translates to "Lotus Born," embodies the union of primordial wisdom and boundless compassion. He wasn't born in the conventional sense, but arose as an eight-year-old boy, an emanation of Buddha Amitabha and Avalokiteshvara, sent to tame negative forces and illuminate the path to enlightenment. His arrival in Tibet in the 8th century, at the invitation of King Trisong Detsen, marks a turning point in the country's history. He subdued malevolent spirits hindering the construction of Samye Monastery, Tibet's first Buddhist monastery, and transformed them into protectors of the Dharma. This pivotal act paved the way for the flourishing of Buddhist teachings in the region.

Symbolism Unveiled

The sculpture captures Guru Rinpoche seated in a posture of meditative equipoise, radiating serenity and power. His serene gaze reflects profound wisdom, while his posture speaks of unshakable stability. In his right hand, he holds the vajra, a diamond-like scepter symbolizing the indestructible nature of enlightenment and the skillful means to cut through ignorance. His left hand rests in his lap, holding a kapala filled with nectar – a symbol of bliss and the transformation of negative emotions into wisdom. The khatvanga, a trident staff resting against his left shoulder, represents his consorts and the integration of skillful means and wisdom. The khatvanga is adorned with three severed heads, each representing a different level of ignorance that has been overcome. His regal attire, a combination of monastic robes, royal garments, and shamanic ornaments, signifies his multifaceted role as a teacher, king, and tantric master. The intricate detailing of the robes, adorned with elaborate patterns, is a testament to the fine artistry involved in creating this remarkable piece. The crown upon his head, bejeweled with precious stones (depicted here) signifies his dominion over the three realms. Display this radiant sculpture in your meditation room, study, or living space to invoke Guru Rinpoche's blessings and inspire your own spiritual journey. May it serve as a reminder of the potential for wisdom, compassion, and transformation that resides within each of us.

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.