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Tibetan Buddhist Lord Buddha in Bhumi-Sparsha Mudra - Made in Nepal

$291
$388
25% off
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Specifications
ZDZ72
Copper Statue
Height: 6.7 inch
Width: 4.7 inch
Depth: 3.2 inch
Weight 1 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.

The Earth-Touching Gesture: A Symbol of Enlightenment

This exquisite copper statue captures the profound moment of enlightenment through the powerful Bhumi-Sparsha Mudra. Crafted with meticulous detail in Nepal, this representation of the Buddha embodies a pivotal narrative in Buddhist history and philosophy. The Bhumi-Sparsha Mudra, often translated as the "earth-touching gesture," depicts the Buddha seated in a meditative posture with his right hand resting on his knee, fingertips pointing downwards towards the earth. Legend tells that as Siddhartha Gautama meditated under the Bodhi tree, he was assailed by Mara, the demon king of illusion, who attempted to disrupt his quest for enlightenment through temptations and distractions. Siddhartha remained unwavering, and with his right hand touching the earth, he summoned the earth goddess, Bhumi, as his witness to his past good deeds and his right to attain Buddhahood. The earth responded with a tremor, signifying its affirmation and dispelling Mara's influence.

Artistry and Spiritual Significance

The artistry of this Nepalese creation elevates it beyond mere decoration, offering a tangible connection to spiritual traditions. The warm, rich patina of the copper speaks to its quality and the skilled hands that shaped it. The serene expression on the Buddha's face, the intricate details of his monastic robes adorned with delicate beadwork and ornate jewelry, and the elaborate crown all contribute to its majestic presence. These embellishments are not just decorative; they often symbolize the wealth and royalty Siddhartha renounced to seek spiritual liberation, further underscoring his supreme sacrifice and dedication. The posture itself, with the left hand resting in his lap in the Dhyana Mudra (meditation gesture), signifies inner peace and concentration. Together, these elements convey a sense of profound stillness, wisdom, and ultimate victory over suffering.

A Timeless Icon for Contemplation

More than just an object, this statue serves as a focal point for meditation and contemplation. Its presence can inspire a sense of calm and mindfulness, encouraging practitioners to connect with their inner selves and reflect on the path to enlightenment. The Bhumi-Sparsha Mudra is a powerful reminder of the challenges faced on the spiritual journey and the strength found in unwavering resolve. It symbolizes the interconnectedness of all beings with the earth and the universe, and the affirmation that the Buddha's enlightenment was not an isolated event but was witnessed and validated by the very foundation of existence. This copper masterpiece, born from the rich artistic heritage of Nepal, offers a conduit to these timeless teachings, making it a treasured addition to any home or spiritual space.

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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