Medicine Buddha - Tibetan Buddhist (Made in Nepal)

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Name: Medicine Buddha - Tibetan Buddhist (Made in Nepal)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEM679
Price: 1390.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1303.50

$1738

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	ZEM679
	Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 11.4 inch
	Width: 7.5 inch
	Depth: 10 inch
	Weight 3 kg

Delivery and Return Policies


	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.

Embrace Healing and Compassion

This exquisite statue embodies the Medicine Buddha, a divine physician in Tibetan Buddhism renowned for his power to alleviate suffering and cure illness. Crafted with meticulous care in Nepal, this piece serves as a powerful reminder of the path to spiritual and physical well-being. The Medicine Buddha, also known as Bhaisajyaguru, is a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly revered for his vows to cure all beings from disease, whether physical, mental, or spiritual. His radiant blue complexion symbolizes purity and the vastness of the sky, representing freedom from afflictions.

Symbolism and Tradition

The Medicine Buddha is depicted seated in a meditative posture on a lotus throne, a symbol of purity and enlightenment rising from the muddy waters of samsara. In his left hand, resting on his lap, he holds a bowl filled with medicinal herbs and the nectar of immortality, signifying his ability to heal all ailments. His right hand, extended downwards in the *varada mudra* (gesture of giving), bestows blessings and fulfills the wishes of devotees. The detailed ornamentation of his robes, rendered in rich red and accented with intricate gold patterns, speaks to the opulence of spiritual wealth and the profound compassion he extends to all sentient beings. This statue is a testament to the enduring legacy of Tibetan Buddhist artistry, where every detail carries profound meaning and spiritual significance. The traditions surrounding the Medicine Buddha are rich, with the Sutra of the Medicine King Buddha detailing his past lives and his vows to heal others. Chanting his mantra is believed to bring about physical and mental healing, as well as protection from harm.

A Masterpiece of Craftsmanship

This magnificent sculpture is expertly fashioned from copper and then meticulously gilded with 24-karat gold, lending it a divine luminescence and an aura of sacredness. The vibrant colors, particularly the striking lapis lazuli blue of his body and the deep crimson of his monastic robe, are expertly applied, highlighting the fine details and contours of the carving. The intricate gold filigree work adorning the robe adds a touch of regal splendor, further enhancing the statue's spiritual presence. Each element, from the serene expression on the Buddha's face to the delicate rendering of the lotus petals on the base, showcases the unparalleled skill of Nepalese artisans who have preserved these sacred artistic traditions for centuries. This piece is not merely an object of devotion but a work of art that brings a sense of peace, healing, and profound spiritual connection to any space it adorns.

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.