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MADE IN INDIA.

Tibetan Buddhist Amitabha Buddha as Amitayus With The Vase of Long Life - Made in Nepal

$494
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Amitayus or Amitabha Buddha means the Buddha of Limitless Life. It's an aspect of Buddha, arising out of the story of the Bodhisattva Dharmakara, who after taking the famous forty-eight vows became the Amitabha Buddha. The legends promise a rebirth in the Pure Lands for anyone who recites his name with utmost sincerity and faith at the moment of his or her death.

This stunningly vibrant copper metalwork from Nepal depicts the Amitabha Buddha in a seated meditative posture, holding a kalasha (vase) in his hands. The vase, topped with leaves of the auspicious Ashoka tree, is a representation of Amrita, the elixir of immortality. It symbolizes a long life without the misery (shoka) of death and disease. On the top of the vase can be seen an alm's bowl, reiterating the non-materialistic nature of the depiction.

This colorful sculpture the Amitabha Buddha assumes the standard Buddha form, but he's shown in colors of striking red. He sits in padmasana, upon a lotus throne, like a divine king gazing upon his subjects. He wears the clothings and jeweled adornments of a celestial heavenly lord, in the style of the classical Indian tradition of divine aesthetics.

Specifications
ZEM815
COPPER STATUE FROM NEPAL
Height: 8.6 inch
Width: 3.2 inch
Depth: 6.2 inch
Weight 1.50 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embodiment of Infinite Light and Life

This exquisite copper statue, meticulously crafted in Nepal, depicts Amitabha Buddha in his form as Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life. Seated in a meditative posture upon an intricately adorned lotus throne, Amitayus radiates a profound sense of peace and boundless compassion. His deep red complexion symbolizes the vibrant energy of life and the transformative power of wisdom, while his serene facial expression invites introspection and spiritual connection. Adorned with a crown and rich, flowing silks, he is a visual representation of ultimate realization and the eternal nature of existence. ––––––––––––––––––

The Symbolism of Amitayus

In Buddhist cosmology, Amitabha is one of the Dhyani Buddhas, associated with the West and the pure land of Sukhavati. As Amitayus, he is specifically invoked for the attainment of long life, good health, and spiritual longevity. Legend has it that Amitabha made a vow to save all beings from suffering and guide them to his pure land, where rebirth is guaranteed and the path to enlightenment is swift. The vase held in his hands, the "Vase of Long Life," is a potent symbol filled with the nectar of immortality, representing the blessings of health and the eradication of spiritual ignorance. The vibrant colors adorning the statue, from the rich reds and blues to the opulent golds, are not merely decorative but carry deep symbolic meaning in Tibetan Buddhism, representing various aspects of the enlightened mind and the cosmos. ––––––––––––––––––

A Masterpiece of Nepalese Artistry

This statue is a testament to the enduring skill and devotional artistry of Nepalese artisans. Each detail, from the delicate rendering of his ornamentation to the graceful curves of his flowing robes, speaks of dedication and reverence. The use of copper as the primary material lends a sense of permanence and sacredness, while the hand-painted accents bring the divine figure to life with vibrant hues. Such statues are not only objects of devotion but also important cultural artifacts, preserving ancient traditions and artistic techniques passed down through generations. Placing this Amitayus statue in your home or meditation space can serve as a constant reminder of the pursuit of spiritual growth, the aspiration for a long and meaningful life, and the ultimate potential for enlightenment that resides within all beings.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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