13" Bhumi-Sparsha Buddha Copper Statue from Nepal | Buddhist Deity Idols

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13" Bhumi-Sparsha Buddha Copper Statue from Nepal | Buddhist Deity Idols

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$431.25

$575

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The Bhumisparsha mudra symbolizes the triumph of the spirit over worldly attachments and the liberation from material constraints. It is an homage to the earth goddess, who bore witness to the Buddha's enlightenment. In statues depicting this mudra, the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, is seated with his right hand reaching towards the ground, palm inward, and touching the lotus throne. His left-hand rests with the palm facing upward in his lap holding the begging bowl. This gesture marks the moment of the Buddha's awakening, affirming the earth as the witness to his enlightenment.

It also signifies the fusion of skilful means (Upaya) represented by the right hand touching the earth and wisdom (Prajna) represented by the left hand, palm up in a meditative position. This mudra reflects the Buddha's unwavering commitment and endeavor on the path to enlightenment, with the earth bearing witness to his journey.

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Specifications

	MIS737
	Copper with Gold Plated
	Height: 13 inch
	Width: 8.5 inch
	Depth: 5.5 inch
	Weight 3 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.

The Victorious Earth-Touching Buddha

This exquisite statue captures the profound moment of the Buddha's enlightenment, a pivotal event in Buddhist history. The gesture depicted, known as Bhumi-Sparsha Mudra, or Earth-Touching, is deeply symbolic. Legend has it that as Siddhartha Gautama sat beneath the Bodhi tree, he was assailed by Mara, the demon of illusion and desire, who sought to tempt him away from enlightenment. Siddhartha, unmoved, called upon the Earth itself to bear witness to his resolve. He extended his right hand, palm facing inward, fingers pointing towards the ground, signifying his unwavering commitment to the path of liberation. The Earth, in response, is said to have vibrated, affirming his attainment. This powerful mudra embodies the triumph of wisdom and compassion over ignorance and delusion.

A Testament to Nepalese Craftsmanship

Handcrafted in Nepal by skilled artisans, this statue is a masterful representation of the Buddha in the Bhumi-Sparsha pose. The use of copper, a material revered for its conductivity and durability, provides a sturdy and timeless foundation for this sacred artwork. The intricate detailing, from the serene expression on the Buddha's face to the flowing robes, speaks volumes about the dedication and artistic prowess of the creators. The statue is further enhanced by rich gold plating, which lends an aura of divinity and spiritual splendor. The delicate patterns etched into the robes, often incorporating auspicious symbols, add layers of meaning and visual richness, inviting contemplation and reverence. The lotus base, a universal symbol of purity and spiritual awakening, completes this magnificent depiction.

Enlightenment and Stillness Embodied

The posture of the Buddha, seated in a meditative lotus position with one hand resting in his lap and the other touching the earth, exudes an unparalleled sense of peace and centeredness. This pose is not merely a physical arrangement; it represents a state of profound inner stillness and control, the very essence of enlightenment. The gaze, often downcast yet piercing, suggests deep introspection and boundless empathy for all sentient beings. This statue serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for spiritual awakening that lies within each individual, encouraging a journey towards self-discovery and inner peace. It is a piece that resonates with the core tenets of Buddhism, offering solace and inspiration to all who behold it.

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.