Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Wheel with Syllable Om Mani Padme Hum

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Name: Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Wheel with Syllable Om Mani Padme Hum
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XK03
Price: 60.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$69

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	XK03
	Brass, Copper and Wood
	Height: 8.3 inch
	Width: 2 inch
	Depth: 2 inch
	Weight 80 gm

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

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Return within 7 days of
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Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embracing the Dharma

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this handheld instrument is a tangible connection to the rich spiritual traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. The prayer wheel, or Mani wheel, is a sacred object designed to disseminate blessings and positive energy through the simple act of turning it. Its construction blends traditional materials, combining the warmth of wood with the strength of brass and copper, creating a harmonious piece that is both visually appealing and spiritually significant. The act of rotating a prayer wheel is considered a form of active meditation, engaging the body in a mindful practice that focuses the mind and cultivates compassion. Each revolution is believed to generate the same merit as reciting aloud the prayers or mantras contained within. The weight and balance are designed to facilitate a smooth and effortless spinning motion, allowing for continuous practice and the accumulation of positive karma.

The Jewel in the Lotus

Etched upon the surface of the wheel, you will find the sacred mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" in elegant Tibetan script. This six-syllable mantra is one of the most revered in Tibetan Buddhism, encapsulating the essence of compassion and wisdom. It is associated with Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, who embodies the enlightened aspiration to liberate all beings from suffering. According to legend, Avalokiteshvara vowed to postpone his own Buddhahood until he had helped every sentient being achieve enlightenment. Gazing upon the suffering of the world, his head split into eleven pieces, and Amitabha Buddha transformed these pieces into eleven heads, each representing a different aspect of compassion. From his tears sprang the lotus flower, and from the lotus flower, Avalokiteshvara was reborn. The mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" is a direct invocation of his compassionate presence and a potent tool for purifying negative karma, cultivating loving-kindness, and realizing one's own potential for enlightenment. Reciting, visualizing, or even simply contemplating this mantra is believed to bring profound blessings and transformative change. This beautiful object serves not only as a tool for spiritual practice but also as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all beings and the boundless potential for compassion that resides within each of us. It is a meaningful addition to any home or meditation space, inviting a sense of peace, tranquility, and the profound wisdom of the Dharma.

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.