Tibetan Buddhist Goddess Green Tara

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Name: Tibetan Buddhist Goddess Green Tara
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZN09
Price: 185.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$213

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	ZN09
	Gilded Copper with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 8.8 inch
	Width: 5.7 inch
	Depth: 4.2 inch
	Weight 1.70 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.

Goddess of Compassion and Swift Action

This exquisitely crafted statue depicts a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism, a deity embodying compassion, protection, and swift assistance to those in need. She is known for her active role in helping sentient beings overcome suffering. This statue is not merely an object of art; it is a tangible representation of these profound qualities, intended to inspire devotion and mindful awareness. Every detail, from the serene expression to the precisely rendered mudras, reflects the deep spiritual significance of this figure.

Craftsmanship and Materials

This stunning statue has been meticulously created from copper, a metal valued for its durability and malleability, making it ideal for detailed sculpting. The surface is then gilded with genuine 24 Karat gold, adding a radiant and lasting finish that honors the sacred nature of the subject. The application of gold is not merely decorative; it symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and the inherent Buddha-nature within all beings. The statue measures 8.8 x 5.7 x 4.2 inches, making it a graceful addition to any altar, meditation space, or sacred setting.

The Legend of Tara

Tara, meaning "star" in Sanskrit, occupies a central place in the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon. Her origins are steeped in myth and legend. One prominent story recounts how she was once a princess who vowed to remain in female form until all beings achieved enlightenment. Others say that she arose from a tear shed by Avalokiteśvara (Chenrezig), the bodhisattva of compassion, as he wept at the suffering of the world. From this tear grew a lotus, and from the lotus emerged Tara, ready to alleviate the pain of humanity. Her emergence from such compassionate origins signifies the boundless empathy that characterizes her divine nature. Her vows emphasize a commitment to active compassion.

Her Symbolic Posture

Notice the elegant posture of this statue. She is typically depicted seated in the *lalitasana* pose, also known as the "royal ease" posture. One leg is drawn in, representing her connection to the realm of wisdom and meditation, while the other extends outward, symbolizing her readiness to leap into action to help those in need. Her right hand is often in the *varada mudra*, the gesture of generosity or giving blessings, offering comfort and assistance to all. Her left hand often holds the stem of a lotus flower, a symbol of purity and spiritual awakening. The lotus emerges from the muddy waters of samsara (cyclic existence) to bloom in pristine beauty, representing the potential for all beings to achieve enlightenment. These mudras are not arbitrary gestures, but potent symbols of the deity's power and purpose. This statue serves not only as a beautiful object but as a focal point for reflection on the principles of compassion, wisdom, and swift action. It is a reminder to cultivate these qualities within ourselves and to dedicate our lives to the benefit of others.

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.