11" Maitreya Buddha Statue in Copper | Nepalese Buddha Idol

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11" Maitreya Buddha Statue in Copper | Nepalese Buddha Idol

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$1035.75

$1381

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Buddhist traditions foretell the appearance of Maitreya, a future Buddha. Regarded as the Buddha (Shakyamuni Buddha) of the future, Maitreya is thought to herald a new era of enlightenment. It was predicted in Buddhist writings, such as the Pali Canon and Mahayana Sutras. According to the divination, Matreya will become a Bodhisattva, a wise and compassionate being who will lead sentient beings to emancipation and eventually become a Buddha.

The Sanskrit term "Maitreya" means "loving-kindness" or "friend," signifying the bodhisattva's altruistic disposition. In Buddhist teachings, Maitreya is said to be living in Tushita Heaven, waiting for the proper moment to come down to earth and turn the wheel of Dharma.

The cultivation of virtues is emphasized in Maitreya's teachings as crucial to spiritual growth. Maitreya’s essence is encouraging harmony, understanding, and empathy among all beings. Universal love and the desire for the welfare and enlightenment of all sentient beings are the main themes of the message. It is recommended that followers live lives that exemplify these characteristics, cultivating empathy and selflessness towards others.

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Specifications

	MIW576
	Copper Statue
	Height: 11 inch
	Width: 7.5 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 2.94 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Ships in 1-3 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.

The Coming Bodhisattva: A Symbol of Hope and Future Enlightenment

This exquisite copper statue captures Maitreya, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the future Buddha, in a moment of serene anticipation. Revered across Mahayana Buddhism, Maitreya is destined to appear on Earth in the distant future, ushering in an era of peace, enlightenment, and universal harmony. His advent is a beacon of hope for practitioners, a promise that the teachings of the Dharma will continue to flourish and guide all sentient beings towards liberation. The craftsmanship of this Nepalese idol is a testament to the rich artistic traditions of the region. The deep, lustrous copper forms the body of the majestic figure, imbued with a spiritual warmth. Intricate silver inlays adorn the deity's regal crown, elaborate jewelry, and flowing garments, adding a celestial brilliance to the composition. The serene expression on Maitreya's face, with downcast eyes and a gentle smile, conveys profound wisdom and boundless compassion. His hands are held in the *Vitarka Mudra*, the gesture of teaching and the transmission of knowledge, inviting contemplation and spiritual understanding. Maitreya is often depicted seated in a relaxed posture, waiting for the opportune moment to descend from his celestial abode. In this representation, he is seated upon an intricately carved throne, a symbol of his future reign and spiritual authority. The *Dharmachakra*, or Wheel of Dharma, is subtly incorporated into the *prabhamandala* (halo) behind him, signifying the turning of the Wheel of Law and the dissemination of Buddha's teachings. The *prabhamandala* itself is a masterpiece of design, with ornate floral motifs and radiating patterns that suggest the boundless light of enlightenment. In Buddhist cosmology, Maitreya's future arrival signifies a golden age, a time when humanity will be free from suffering and ignorance. He is seen as the benevolent successor to Gautama Buddha, continuing the lineage of awakened beings who guide the world. Tales abound of Maitreya's compassionate nature and his promise to teach the Dharma to all beings without exception. This statue serves not only as a beautiful object of devotion but also as a powerful reminder of this enduring promise and the potential for universal enlightenment. This captivating copper representation of Maitreya Buddha, crafted in Nepal, brings an aura of peace, hope, and spiritual aspiration into any space. It is a piece that resonates with the deep philosophical underpinnings of Buddhism and the enduring human quest for wisdom and compassion.

Artistic Expression and Spiritual Significance

The choice of copper as the primary material for this statue is significant. Copper has long been associated with purification and healing in various spiritual traditions, and its warm, reddish hue is often linked to vitality and inner radiance. The skilled artisans of Nepal have masterfully worked this metal, bringing forth the divine form of Maitreya with an exceptional level of detail and aesthetic appeal. The contrasting silver inlay work adds a layer of visual richness, highlighting the divine attributes and embellishments of the Bodhisattva. The posture of Maitreya, seated with legs crossed or in a relaxed pose, is indicative of his patient waiting and readiness. His presence signifies a future awakening, a pivotal moment when the Dharma will be re-established in its full glory. The adornments, such as the crown and jewelry, signify his status as a celestial prince who has renounced worldly power for spiritual enlightenment. Each element of the sculpture is imbued with symbolic meaning, inviting the devotee to connect with the profound teachings of Maitreya. This statue is more than just an artistic creation; it is a conduit for spiritual connection, a tangible representation of a deeply revered figure in the Buddhist pantheon.

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.