Monastery Prayer Wheels

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Name: Monastery Prayer Wheels
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XK45
Price: 220.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$253

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	XK45
	Brass, Copper and Wood
	Height: 6 inch
	Width: 16 inch
	Depth: 3 inch
	Weight 1.19 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.

The Essence of Tibetan Prayer

Prayer wheels, deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhism, are not merely decorative objects; they are powerful instruments for spreading blessings and positive energy. The concept is beautifully simple: each rotation of the wheel is said to release countless mantras into the world, purifying negative karma and fostering compassion. Imagine the rhythmic turning, each spin a silent incantation, a visual embodiment of devotion and goodwill. These wheels offer a tangible connection to the ancient spiritual practices of the Himalayas.

Craftsmanship and Detail

This striking arrangement showcases four individual prayer wheels, each crafted with attention to detail and artistic skill. The rich, dark wood provides a sturdy and elegant frame, contrasting beautifully with the metallic sheen of the spinning cylinders. Intricate carvings on the wooden frame add to its visual appeal. The prayer wheels themselves are constructed of brass and copper, metals traditionally associated with spiritual practice and believed to enhance the power of mantras. The bands of script, possibly bearing the revered "Om Mani Padme Hum" mantra, are embellished with eye-catching stones, adding pops of color and further enhancing their beauty.

The Legend of the Mani Wheel

The practice of using prayer wheels is believed to have originated with the great Buddhist master Nagarjuna. Legend tells that he witnessed water spirits turning wheels inscribed with mantras, releasing their blessings into the world. Inspired by this vision, Nagarjuna created the first physical prayer wheels, enabling ordinary people to accumulate merit and spread positivity with each turn. The inner workings of a prayer wheel traditionally contain tightly wound scrolls filled with mantras – sometimes hundreds or even thousands – amplifying the power of each rotation. It is believed that even unintentional turning of a prayer wheel carries blessings and positive energy.

A Touch of Tranquility

Bring the serenity and spiritual depth of Tibetan culture into your home or meditation space with this exquisitely crafted set of prayer wheels. Whether used for personal practice, as a focal point for contemplation, or simply as a beautiful and unique decorative piece, it serves as a constant reminder of the power of intention, compassion, and the enduring wisdom of the Buddhist tradition. This piece provides a visual representation of faith and peace, inviting a sense of calm and reflection into any environment.

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.