Vajrasattva

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Name: Vajrasattva
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: EC77
Price: 220.00 USD
Availability: InStock

₽17,000

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	EC77
	Copper Sculpture
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 3.5 inch
	Weight 1.80 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Essence of Purity

Crafted from copper, this exquisite sculpture embodies the essence of purity and serves as a potent reminder of the possibility of purification inherent in all beings. Notice the refined details of the statue, from the delicate facial features exuding serenity to the ornate crown and flowing robes, each element is carefully rendered to capture the essence of Vajrasattva. The statue's dimensions (8.0 x 6.0 x 3.5 inches) make it an ideal addition to a personal shrine, meditation space, or as a treasured art piece in your home.

Vajrasattva: Myth and Meaning

Vajrasattva, whose name translates to "Diamond Being" or "Indestructible Being," is a central figure in Vajrayana Buddhism. Considered the embodiment of all five Dhyani Buddhas in their pure essence, Vajrasattva embodies the power of purification and transformation. He is often invoked for the purification of negative karma and the removal of obstacles on the path to enlightenment. According to Buddhist scriptures, Vajrasattva made a profound vow to assist all beings in purifying their negative actions. He vowed that his body, speech, and mind would always be available to those who sincerely sought purification. By engaging in practices that invoke Vajrasattva, practitioners can access his compassionate energy and cleanse themselves of past misdeeds, paving the way for spiritual growth and awakening. The visualization of Vajrasattva is a key element in many purification practices. Through this visualization, practitioners imagine the radiant light of Vajrasattva dissolving negativity, transforming it into wisdom and compassion. The practice aims to transform mental afflictions that obstruct enlightenment.

Iconography and Symbolism

The imagery surrounding Vajrasattva is rich with symbolism. He is typically depicted as seated in the vajra posture, a symbol of stability and unwavering resolve. In his right hand, he holds a vajra, representing the indestructible nature of wisdom and the power to cut through ignorance. In his left hand, he holds a bell, symbolizing emptiness and the sound of enlightenment. The combination of the vajra and bell represents the union of wisdom and skillful means, essential for achieving enlightenment. The ornate crown adorning Vajrasattva's head signifies his mastery of the five wisdoms and the five Buddha families. His serene expression reflects the peace and tranquility that arise from purification. The flowing robes symbolize his compassion and dedication to helping all beings. Every element of his form contributes to the overall message of transformation and the potential for liberation.

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.