Superfine Tibetan Buddhist Guru Padmasambhava (Made in Nepal)

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Name: Superfine Tibetan Buddhist Guru Padmasambhava (Made in Nepal)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEM694
Price: 835.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$960

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZEM694
	Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 9 inch
	Width: 4 inch
	Depth: 5.5 inch
	Weight 1.20 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embodying the Second Buddha

This exquisite statue depicts Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism. Widely considered the "Second Buddha," Padmasambhava is credited with bringing Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century. Legends tell of his miraculous birth from a lotus flower, hence his name meaning "Lotus-Born." His arrival in Tibet was prophesied, and he is said to have subdued demons and obstacles that hindered the spread of the Dharma, establishing a rich spiritual tradition that endures to this day. This statue, meticulously crafted in Nepal, a land deeply steeped in Buddhist heritage, captures the essence of his wisdom, compassion, and formidable power.

Sacred Iconography and Craftsmanship

The statue is rendered in high-quality copper, a metal revered for its conductive properties and its ability to hold spiritual energy. It is then lavishly gilded with 24-karat gold, imbuing it with a radiant, divine aura that reflects the enlightened nature of Guru Rinpoche. The intricate details of his regalia are masterfully depicted, from his ornate crown adorned with a feather, symbolizing his mastery over the elements, to the precious jewels and flowing garments that signify his princely origins and his renunciation of worldly desires. In one hand, he holds a vajra, a ritual implement representing indestructible wisdom and the thunderbolt of enlightenment, which dispels ignorance and attachment. In the other, he holds a phurba, a ritual dagger used to subdue negative forces and transform obstacles into wisdom. The serene yet powerful expression on his face, with his third eye symbolizing profound insight, invites contemplation and inspires spiritual aspiration.

A Symbol of Enlightenment and Protection

Guru Padmasambhava is revered as a master of tantric practices, a protector against all forms of harm, and a guide on the path to enlightenment. His teachings, known as the Nyingma tradition, continue to be practiced by millions worldwide. Invoking his presence through sacred imagery like this statue is believed to bring blessings, remove spiritual and material hindrances, and cultivate inner peace and wisdom. This statue serves not only as a beautiful object of devotion but also as a tangible connection to the ancient lineage and profound teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Its presence in a home or meditation space can create an atmosphere of serenity, protection, and spiritual awakening.

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.