Seated Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra

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Name: Seated Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: RM60
Price: 395.00 USD
Availability: InStock

¥59,955

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Specifications

	RM60
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 3.5 inch
	Weight 1.51 kg

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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Earth as Witness

This exquisite sculpture embodies a pivotal moment in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the prince who would become the Buddha. Rendered in copper and lavishly gilded with 24-karat gold, the serene figure invites contemplation and reflection. The Buddha is seated in the lotus position, a posture signifying stability and balance, essential qualities for achieving enlightenment. One hand rests gently in his lap, while the other extends downwards, the fingers reaching towards the earth. This specific hand gesture, known as the Bhumisparsha mudra, represents the moment when the Buddha called upon the Earth to witness his enlightenment.

The Tale of the Temptation

The Bhumisparsha mudra is deeply connected to the story of the Buddha's enlightenment. As Siddhartha sat beneath the Bodhi tree, determined to attain enlightenment, Mara, the demon of illusion and temptation, sought to dissuade him. Mara unleashed his armies of demons and temptations, attempting to shake Siddhartha from his resolve. Undeterred, Siddhartha remained steadfast in his meditation. Finally, Mara challenged Siddhartha's right to attain enlightenment, demanding a witness to his worthiness. In response, Siddhartha reached down and touched the earth with his right hand, summoning the Earth Goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness to his countless lifetimes of virtuous deeds and unwavering commitment to awakening. The Earth trembled in affirmation, dispelling Mara's illusions and confirming Siddhartha's triumph over temptation. This act cemented his enlightenment, transforming him into the Buddha, the Awakened One.

Nepalese Craftsmanship

Crafted by skilled artisans in Nepal, this sculpture reflects the rich artistic traditions of the Kathmandu Valley. Nepal has long been a center for Buddhist art, and its artists are renowned for their mastery of metalworking, intricate detailing, and profound understanding of Buddhist iconography. The gilding process, where thin layers of 24-karat gold are meticulously applied to the copper form, is a testament to the dedication and expertise of these craftspeople. The radiant gold finish symbolizes purity, transformation, and the transcendent nature of enlightenment. The dimensions of the statue make it ideal for placement on an altar, a meditation space, or any location where one seeks to cultivate mindfulness and inner peace.

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.