Shakyamuni Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra

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Name: Shakyamuni Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: RE43
Price: 220.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$253

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Specifications

	RE43
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 8.5 inch
	Width: 5.8 inch
	Depth: 3 inch
	Weight 1.51 kg

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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

Touching the Earth: The Bhumisparsha Mudra

The depiction of the Buddha in the Bhumisparsha Mudra – the “earth-witnessing” gesture – is one of the most recognizable and potent images in Buddhist art. This iconic hand gesture signifies a pivotal moment in the Buddha’s journey to enlightenment, a moment of unwavering resolve and ultimate triumph over temptation. The right hand extends downwards, fingers touching the earth, while the left hand rests in the lap, palm upwards, a symbol of meditation and inner peace. This posture reflects the Buddha's unwavering commitment to truth and his unshakable connection to the earth as his witness. The story behind this mudra is central to understanding its significance. As Siddhartha Gautama sat beneath the Bodhi tree, Mara, the demon of illusion and desire, attempted to dissuade him from achieving enlightenment. Mara unleashed a torrent of distractions, including his beautiful daughters who tempted Siddhartha with earthly pleasures, and an army of demons who sought to frighten him into abandoning his quest. Undeterred, Siddhartha remained steadfast in his meditation. When Mara challenged Siddhartha’s right to sit on the Vajrasana, the diamond throne of enlightenment, Siddhartha simply touched the earth with his right hand. In that instant, the earth goddess, Prithvi, rose up to testify to Siddhartha's countless lifetimes of merit and virtuous deeds. She declared that his accumulated good karma entitled him to attain enlightenment. Mara and his forces vanished, and Siddhartha, now the Buddha, realized complete liberation.

Crafted in the Heart of the Himalayas

This stunning sculpture, crafted in Nepal, embodies the rich artistic traditions of the Himalayan region. The statue is meticulously cast in copper, a metal revered for its conductive properties and symbolic association with transformation. The copper form is then expertly gilded with 24-karat gold, a process that imparts a luminous sheen and enduring beauty to the piece. The gold not only enhances the visual appeal but also represents the purity, wisdom, and enlightenment embodied by the Buddha. The intricate detailing of the sculpture is a testament to the skill and dedication of the Nepalese artisans who created it. From the serene expression on the Buddha's face to the graceful folds of his robes, every element is carefully rendered to convey a sense of peace and tranquility. The elaborate lotus base, a symbol of purity and spiritual awakening, further enhances the statue's aesthetic appeal. At a size of 8.5 x 5.8 x 3.0 inches, this piece is perfect for home altars, meditation spaces, or as a profound decorative object. It is a powerful reminder of the Buddha's teachings and the path to inner peace, offering a tangible connection to the sacred history and traditions of Buddhism.

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.