12" Vajrapani Idol from Nepal | Tibetan Buddhist Deity Copper Statue

•

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.

12" Vajrapani Idol from Nepal | Tibetan Buddhist Deity Copper Statue

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

$1434.75

$1913

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Vajrapani is a significant bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly in Tibetan Buddhism and various other Buddhist traditions. The name "Vajrapani" translates to "Thunderbolt Holder" or "Diamond Bearer," emphasizing his association with indestructible spiritual power.

Depicted as a powerful and wrathful figure, Vajrapani is often portrayed holding a vajra (thunderbolt or diamond scepter) in one hand, symbolizing his ability to overcome obstacles and ignorance. He is also depicted with a fierce expression, representing the energetic and transformative aspects of enlightened compassion.

Vajrapani is considered one of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas and is particularly associated with the power of all Buddhas. His role is often protective, and he is invoked by practitioners to help overcome difficulties on the spiritual path, dispel obstacles, and purify negativities.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Vajrapani is one of the principal deities of the Lotus Sutra, along with Avalokiteshvara and Manjushri. Devotees turn to Vajrapani for assistance in times of challenge, seeking his powerful and protective qualities on their journey toward enlightenment.

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	MIU151
	Copper Gilded with Gold
	Height: 12 inch
	Width: 9 inch
	Depth: 4.5 inch
	Weight 3.30 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.

Embodiment of Vajra Power

This striking sculpture captures the formidable essence of Vajrapani, a powerful Bodhisattva revered in Tibetan Buddhism. Vajrapani, whose name translates to "Vajra-Holder," is a protector deity who wields the vajra, a mythical diamond thunderbolt symbolizing immense spiritual power and the indestructible nature of enlightenment. In Buddhist cosmology, he is one of the three great Bodhisattvas, alongside Manjushri (wisdom) and Avalokiteshvara (compassion), representing the power of the Buddha. This exquisite representation, crafted from copper and gilded with gold, showcases the deity in his wrathful form, embodying the strength needed to overcome obstacles and negative forces. ––––––––––––––––––

A Divine Protector

The vibrant, flame-like aureole that encircles Vajrapani signifies his boundless energy and the transformative power of his wisdom. His fierce expression, with bared fangs and bulging eyes, is not one of malice, but of intense focus and unwavering determination to vanquish ignorance, delusion, and suffering. The three eyes adorning his forehead represent his omnipresence and his ability to see beyond the mundane into the true nature of reality. He stands in a dynamic, almost aggressive pose, ready to strike down obstacles on the path to enlightenment. His raised right hand holds a vajra, the potent symbol of his authority and his ability to shatter the illusion of duality. The sculpted details, from the intricate adornments to the musculature of his divine form, speak of the artisan's skill and devotion. ––––––––––––––––––

Artistry from the Himalayas

Hailing from Nepal, a land steeped in rich spiritual traditions and renowned for its masterful metalwork, this statue is a testament to the enduring legacy of Himalayan Buddhist art. The process of creating such an idol often involves centuries-old techniques passed down through generations of artisans. The base upon which Vajrapani stands is itself a work of art, richly ornamented and symbolizing the firm foundation of the Dharma. The gilding with gold not only enhances the visual splendor of the piece but also imbues it with a sacred aura, reflecting the purity and brilliance of the divine. This sculpture serves not only as a beautiful object of devotion but also as a potent reminder of the strength and resilience required to navigate the challenges of life and to pursue spiritual awakening.

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.