15" Set of Three Tibetan Buddhist Gurus - Gampopa, Milarepa and Marpha From Nepal

•

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.

15" Set of Three Tibetan Buddhist Gurus - Gampopa, Milarepa and Marpha From Nepal

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Name: 15" Set of Three Tibetan Buddhist Gurus - Gampopa, Milarepa and Marpha From Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIU212
Price: 5315.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$4983

$6644

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Gurus or teachers in Tibetan Buddhism have an honored place amongst the followers, who look up to the great lives and teachings of the Gurus, get initiated in their sect, and become linked to the Guru for life. Presenting the power of Guru-Shishya, a teacher and student in Nepal, these gilded copper statues present Guru Milarepa with his disciples- Gampopa and Marpha. The statues are the visual evocation of the unbreakable bond to the Guru, through the students. Meditating upon the teachings of Mahasiddha Milarepa along with his students ties the devotee with the lineage of the Master.

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	MIU212
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 15 inch
	Width: 36 inch
	Depth: 8 inch
	Weight 20.80 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.

A Celestial Assembly of Enlightenment

This exquisite set of three copper statues, meticulously gilded with pure gold, brings a profound spiritual presence to any sacred space or personal altar. Crafted in Nepal, a land steeped in the rich traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, these figures represent pivotal masters whose lives and teachings continue to inspire millions. Each statue is a testament to the skilled artistry of Nepalese artisans, who have poured centuries of devotional practice and technical mastery into their creation. The radiant gold finish, achieved through a painstaking gilding process, evokes the luminosity of awakened minds and the eternal nature of spiritual truth. ––––––––––––––––––––

Guardians of Wisdom and Compassion

The central figure embodies the esteemed Gampopa, a pivotal disciple of Milarepa. Gampopa is depicted in a serene seated posture, holding a sacred bowl that symbolizes the nourishment of wisdom and the alms of compassion. His regal attire, adorned with intricate golden patterns, signifies his status as a lineage holder and a bridge between the profound teachings of Milarepa and the systematic development of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Gampopa's presence is often associated with the unification of the Kadam and Mahamudra traditions, representing a balanced approach to spiritual practice that integrates scholarly study with yogic discipline. ––––––––––––––––––––

The Ascetic Poet of Tibet

To the right, we find the legendary Milarepa, one of Tibet's most revered yogis and poets. His iconic posture, with one hand touching his ear as if listening to the echoes of profound realization, captures his deep meditative state and his intimate connection with the Dharma. Milarepa's life story is a powerful narrative of transformation, from a dark past to spiritual liberation achieved through intense asceticism in the caves of Tibet. His spontaneous songs, known as "dohas," are filled with profound wisdom, humor, and vivid imagery, offering direct insights into the nature of reality. This statue embodies his asceticism, his unwavering devotion, and the joyous freedom that comes from transcending worldly attachments. The subtle details in his robe and the serene expression on his face speak to a life lived in profound communion with the divine. ––––––––––––––––––––

The Humble Servant of Marpa

Completing this sacred triad is Marpa the Translator, Milarepa's guru. While Marpa is often depicted in a more robust and worldly manner befitting his role as a householder and successful merchant, this particular depiction as a more youthful and perhaps less formally attired figure, as suggested by the image, may be interpreted as a representation of his immense spiritual attainment and his profound connection to his disciples. Marpa was instrumental in bringing the complete teachings of the Sarma (new translation) Buddhist tantras from India to Tibet. His arduous journeys to India and Nepal, often fraught with peril, exemplify his immense dedication to the Dharma and his commitment to preserving and transmitting the most authentic teachings. His presence alongside Milarepa underscores the vital importance of the guru-disciple relationship in the transmission of spiritual lineage. This magnificent set is more than just a decorative item; it is an invitation to connect with the heart of Tibetan Buddhist wisdom, an embodiment of devotion, and a source of inspiration for cultivating peace, compassion, and enlightenment in your own life.

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.