The Medicine Buddha

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Name: The Medicine Buddha
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XZ73
Price: 140.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$161

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	XZ73
	Copper Statue
	Height: 5.7 inch
	Width: 4 inch
	Depth: 3 inch
	Weight 600 gm

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.

The Enlightened Healer

Within the vast pantheon of Buddhist deities, one figure shines with particular compassion: the Buddha of Healing. Known by various names across cultures, this deity is revered for his ability to alleviate suffering, not just of the body, but of the mind and spirit. This beautifully crafted copper statue embodies the essence of this healing power, inviting serenity and well-being into your home or sacred space. The Buddha’s serene expression, with eyes cast downward in contemplative stillness, reflects the inner peace that comes from understanding the nature of suffering. The intricate details etched into the robe, the gentle curve of the lips, and the subtle gesture of the hand all contribute to a sense of profound tranquility. The statue depicts a seated posture, radiating stability, solidity, and stillness.

The Medicine Buddha and His Vow

Legend tells of the Buddha taking a bodhisattva vow to attain enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings and to cure their afflictions. It is said that through unwavering dedication and countless lifetimes of selfless service, he became the Buddha of Healing, a source of solace and remedy for those in need. In artistic depictions, he often holds a lapis lazuli-colored bowl filled with medicinal nectar or herbs, symbolizing his power to heal and nurture. The healing nectar represents the potent medicine that he offers to cure not only physical ailments but also the deeper sicknesses of greed, hatred, and delusion. He is also known for the potent power of the Medicine Buddha mantra, a sound that is meant to purify the mind and promote healing in both the self and others.

Crafted with Intention

This piece is expertly cast from copper, lending it a rich, warm tone and ensuring its longevity. The artisan's skill is evident in the precise details of the robes, the intricate patterns adorning the base, and the overall refinement of the figure. Displaying this statue is more than an aesthetic choice; it is an invitation to cultivate inner peace, promote healing, and connect with the compassionate energy of the Medicine Buddha. The statue can be a focal point for meditation, a reminder of the potential for healing and transformation, and a source of inspiration in the journey towards enlightenment.

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.