Sita Tara, also known
as White Tara, is revered for her healing powers and tranquil demeanor. She
wears all-white, symbolizing the purity of virtue and the brilliant radiance of
awakened awareness. White Tara absorbs the aura and becomes a moon goddess. In
addition to being stunning to look at, the moon brightens the earth with a
gentle glow. The full moon enhances White Tara's mystical ability to enlarge
sentient beings, allowing them to reach their full potential. She represents
tranquility and growth in boundless happiness, according to certain
interpretations. When we dedicate ourselves to her, the moon of our life,
values, and wisdom are completed in a lovely circle.
She demonstrates with
her seven eyes and profusion of riddles that compassion needs wisdom to be
accurately and impartially observed; otherwise, it is either sentimentality or
pity. According to a perspective by Stephan Beyer, the seven eyes stand for the
four Brahma viharas and the three vismoksha. There are four blissful states of
mind or Brahma viharas. Loving-kindness is the primary and most important
quality of both happiness and compassion. Happiness turns compassion into
empathetic joy, celebrating other people's successes or good fortune. The last
of the four virtues, equanimity, is reached when these pleasant emotions are
experienced equally by all living creatures. The three vismokshas offer
different viewpoints on reality.
The Compassionate Radiance of White Tara
This exquisite statue embodies the serene and compassionate presence of White Tara, a revered goddess in Tibetan Buddhism. Crafted from copper and gilded with pure gold, this deity emanates an aura of profound peace and divine grace. Her posture, seated in the lotus position on a multi-layered lotus base, signifies spiritual purity and enlightenment. The intricate details, from the delicate folds of her robes to the exquisite ornamentation adorning her crown and body, speak volumes of the masterful artistry of Nepalese craftspeople.A Symbol of Longevity and Protection
White Tara is renowned as the goddess of longevity, healing, and compassion. Her benevolent gaze and outstretched hand, in the gesture of granting boons, offer solace and protection to her devotees. Legend tells of her birth from a single tear shed by Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, at the sight of suffering in the world. This origin story underscores her deep connection to all sentient beings and her unwavering commitment to alleviating their pain and guiding them towards liberation. She is often invoked for protection from fear, illness, and negativity, and her presence is believed to bestow blessings of long life, good health, and spiritual wisdom. The twin flowers, often depicted with her, symbolize her ability to manifest in both worldly and spiritual realms, bringing abundance and prosperity.Artistry and Devotion in Copper and Gold
The choice of copper as the foundational material for this idol is significant. Copper is associated with conductivity and vitality, making it an ideal medium for representing divine energy. The subsequent gilding with gold elevates the statue, symbolizing purity, divinity, and spiritual perfection. The vibrant colors and turquoise and coral embellishments on the crown and robes add a touch of opulence and further enhance the deity's radiant form. This piece is not merely a decorative object but a sacred vessel, meticulously crafted to inspire devotion, foster inner peace, and serve as a tangible link to the spiritual realm. Its substantial size and weight lend it a commanding presence, making it a focal point for meditation and prayer, and a treasured addition to any altar or sacred space. This magnificent representation of White Tara is a testament to the enduring spiritual traditions and exceptional artistic heritage of Nepal.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.
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