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A Sacred Object
Prayer wheels, also known as Mani wheels, hold a significant place in Tibetan Buddhism. More than mere ornaments, they are potent tools for accumulating merit, purifying negativity, and invoking blessings. The practice of turning a prayer wheel is believed to be equivalent to reciting the mantras contained within it. Each rotation sends waves of compassion and positive energy outward, benefiting all sentient beings. These wheels are traditionally filled with countless repetitions of mantras and are considered powerful instruments in the journey toward enlightenment.
The Jewel in the Lotus
Adorning the exterior of this prayer wheel is the sacred mantra, "Om Mani Padme Hum." This six-syllable mantra is one of the most revered in Tibetan Buddhism and is associated with Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. "Om" represents the sound of the universe, a sacred syllable said to purify ego, pride and complacency. "Mani" means "jewel," symbolizing love, compassion, and the altruistic intention to become enlightened. "Padme" translates to "lotus," representing wisdom. Finally, "Hum" unites the other syllables, signifying the indivisibility of method and wisdom. Reciting, visualizing, or even touching this mantra is believed to bring about transformative purification and open the heart to boundless compassion.
Craftsmanship and Materials
This hand-held prayer wheel is beautifully crafted from a combination of brass, copper, and wood. The drum itself, meticulously etched with the sacred mantra, is made of brass and copper, ensuring durability and resonance. The handle, fashioned from wood, provides a comfortable and grounding grip. The dimensions make it perfect for personal use, allowing you to easily carry it with you, incorporating its blessings into your daily life, whether at home or on the go.
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.
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