10" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajrasattva From Nepal

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10" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajrasattva From Nepal

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Name: 10" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajrasattva From Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: CAA135
Price: 755.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$708

$944

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

A majorly revered deity in traditions of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism - this is a gold-plated copper statue of Vajrasattva. Seated in a padmasana, his soles face the sky in his positioning on the Padma. The energy of this form of bodhisattva has been a crucial part of Tantric and Yogic initiations in Tibetan Buddhism historically and contemporarily. With his face reading heightened enrichments - he holds a Dril-bu (bell) and Dorje (specter) in each of his hands.

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Specifications

	CAA135
	Copper With Gold
	Height: 10 inch
	Width: 7 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 2 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 6 days
	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.

An Embodiment of Purity and Purification

This exquisite statue depicts Vajrasattva, a central figure in Vajrayana Buddhism, renowned as the deity of purification. Revered for his ability to cleanse negative karma and obscurations, Vajrasattva embodies the unwavering clarity and potent force of the enlightened mind. The masterful craftsmanship evident in this piece, originating from Nepal, reflects the profound spiritual heritage and artistic traditions of the region. Rendered in rich copper with a gleaming gold finish, the statue emanates a divine radiance that draws the viewer into contemplation. ––––––––––––––––––––

Symbolism and Iconography

Vajrasattva is typically depicted in a seated posture, symbolizing his steadiness and groundedness in wisdom. In this representation, he is adorned with a crown and jewels, signifying his regal status as a Buddha. His serene countenance, with eyes cast in a peaceful gaze, conveys profound compassion and spiritual authority. The right hand, held near the heart, clutches a vajra (a ritualistic scepter), representing the indestructibility of enlightened awareness and the skillful means used to cut through ignorance. The left hand, resting on his lap, holds a bell (ghanta), symbolizing wisdom and the blissful emptiness that underlies all phenomena. The fusion of these two implements—the vajra and the bell—represents the inseparability of wisdom and compassion, a core tenet of Buddhist philosophy. The intricate detailing of his robes, the flowing strands of hair, and the delicate ornamentation all speak to the meticulous skill of the artisans. ––––––––––––––––––––

The Vajrasattva Practice

In Buddhist practice, the mantra of Vajrasattva, "Om Vajrasattva Hum," is widely recited for purification. This practice is believed to cleanse the practitioner of disturbing emotions, negative actions, and broken vows, paving the way for spiritual progress and the realization of one's innate Buddha-nature. The presence of such a statue can serve as a powerful reminder of this transformative practice, encouraging mindfulness and ethical conduct. The deity's association with purity also links him to the concept of the "primordial state" or the original, untainted awareness that exists within all beings, waiting to be uncovered. In some traditions, Vajrasattva is also seen as the essence of all Buddhas, embodying their Vajra nature – the diamond-like, unshakeable clarity of their awakened minds. This statue, therefore, is not merely an object of veneration but a tangible representation of the profound path to spiritual 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.