Monastery Prayer Wheel

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Name: Monastery Prayer Wheel
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZBC56
Price: 260.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$299

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZBC56
	Brass and Copper
	Height: 6.5 inch
	Width: 5 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 1 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.

Sacred Whispers of the Dharma

Invoke peace and serenity into your space with this exquisitely crafted brass and copper prayer wheel. More than just a beautiful object, this miniature dharma wheel is a tangible representation of profound spiritual practice, designed to bring blessings and good fortune to its surroundings. The intricate details speak to a rich heritage of Buddhist tradition, where each turn of the wheel is believed to send prayers and mantras reverberating through the cosmos. ––––––––––

A Glimpse into Tradition

In Tibetan Buddhism, prayer wheels are central to meditation and devotion. It is said that the great Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, the embodiment of compassion, created the first prayer wheel. His immense compassion led him to devise a method by which even those who could not read or recite mantras could still accumulate merit and purify their negative karma. The mantra most commonly inscribed on these wheels is "Om Mani Padme Hum," a six-syllable mantra that encompasses the essence of all Buddhist teachings and embodies compassion, generosity, patience, diligence, renunciation, and wisdom. Each revolution of the wheel is equivalent to reciting the mantra thousands, or even millions, of times, depending on its size and the devotion of the user. ––––––––––

Artistry in Every Detail

This prayer wheel is a testament to the skill of artisans dedicated to preserving sacred traditions. The primary structure is cast in robust brass, providing a sturdy and elegant foundation. Complementing the brass are accents of rich copper, most notably on the smaller, individual prayer cylinders that spin within the larger wheel. The surfaces are adorned with the sacred Tibetan script, meticulously engraved to represent the powerful mantras. The top is crowned with a conical finial, a symbol often representing the enlightenment of the Buddha. The base is broad and stable, ensuring the wheel can be placed on any altar, desk, or meditation space with confidence. ––––––––––

A Beacon of Peace

The act of turning a prayer wheel is a mindful practice, drawing the practitioner into the present moment. As the wheel spins, it is believed to pacify disturbances, dispel negativity, and generate positive energy. This particular wheel, with its thoughtful design and the resonance of its materials, offers a direct connection to this ancient practice. It serves as a constant reminder to cultivate compassion, wisdom, and inner peace in our daily lives. Whether you are a dedicated practitioner or simply seeking to imbue your home with a sense of tranquility and spiritual warmth, this prayer wheel is a profound and beautiful addition. It is a vessel for your intentions, a catalyst for mindfulness, and a timeless piece of spiritual art.

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.