Monastery Prayer Wheels

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Name: Monastery Prayer Wheels
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XF30
Price: 185.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$213

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	XF30
	Copper and Brass
	Height: 6.5 inch
	Width: 9 inch
	Depth: 2.5 inch
	Weight 460 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.

A Conduit to Compassion

Envision the peaceful climes of the Himalayas, where the wind whispers prayers through mountain passes and rustles the prayer flags strung between ancient monasteries. These prayer wheels, meticulously crafted from copper and brass, are a miniature echo of those powerful traditions. Each spin is believed to release countless mantras into the world, radiating blessings of compassion, wisdom, and well-being. Prayer wheels have been used for centuries in Tibetan Buddhism as a means of accumulating merit and purifying negative karma. The concept is based on the belief that the effect of reciting a mantra is magnified by the number of times it is repeated. By turning the wheel, the mantras contained within are symbolically recited, benefiting not only the individual but all sentient beings. This belief stems from the essence of Mahayana Buddhism, which emphasizes universal compassion.

The Wheel of Dharma: A Timeless Tradition

Legends abound regarding the origin of prayer wheels. One popular tale attributes their invention to the great Buddhist master, Nagarjuna. He is said to have created them as a means to help people who had difficulty reading or reciting mantras orally. Others believe that the lineage of prayer wheels traces back to the legendary King Gesar of Ling, who used them to spread teachings and blessings throughout his kingdom. The physical design is no accident. The cylinder represents the essence of emptiness in Buddhist philosophy, while the mantras inscribed upon it, most frequently "Om Mani Padme Hum", are the essence of enlightenment. The act of spinning the wheel is more than a mechanical action; it is a sacred ritual that connects the devotee to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, the enlightened beings who embody compassion and wisdom. Each detail, from the choice of materials to the engravings, contributes to its sacred nature.

Artistry and Intention

Observe the detailed craftsmanship in this piece. The aged appearance evokes a sense of history and reverence. The intricate details that adorn the wheel reflect artistic tradition. The placement of the wheels within the stand, featuring figures on the top, creates a focal point of contemplation. The entire construction acts as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things. This is more than a decorative object; it’s an instrument for transformation. It invites you to imbue your space with positive energy and to participate in a practice that has resonated with practitioners for generations. Place it in a location where you can easily engage with it, perhaps in your meditation space or study. Let each spin serve as a reminder of your intention to cultivate compassion and bring benefit to the world.

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.