15" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajradhara Copper Statue from Nepal

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15" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajradhara Copper Statue from Nepal

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$1462.50

$1950

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Vajradhara represents the supreme Primordial Buddha, also known as Adi Buddha. Sakyamuni's Tantric manifestation is named Vajradhara.

He is portrayed with his arms crossed, holding a Vajra and a bell in his left hand, symbolizing the seamless union of wisdom and skillfulness. Cloaked in a blue hue and seated in the Vajraparyanka posture, he adorns a crown, Urna, and Ushnisha, embodying the essence of a Sambhogakaya Buddha. Vajradhara not only represents awakened consciousness but also the path towards a transcendent understanding, symbolized by the lightning-headed bell and the double-ended lightning scepter. The bell signifies feminine creative wisdom, while the scepter embodies masculine energy and method. Together, they illustrate the means to transcend conventional notions of time and space, facilitating an objective transformation of one's experience.

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Specifications

	MIT084
	Copper with Gold Plated
	Height: 15 inch
	Width: 9.5 inch
	Depth: 6 inch
	Weight 5.20 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.

Embodied Enlightenment: A Reverent Depiction of Vajradhara

This exquisite statue presents Vajradhara, the primordial Buddha, as conceived within the rich tapestry of Tibetan Buddhism. Crafted from high-quality copper and adorned with a lustrous gold plating, this 15-inch masterpiece originates from Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual heritage. Vajradhara is considered the Adi-Buddha, the first Buddha from whom all other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas emanate. He represents the ultimate, undifferentiated reality, the source of all phenomena, and the embodiment of wisdom and compassion. The serene countenance of Vajradhara radiates a profound peace. His eyes, delicately rendered, seem to gaze inward, reflecting an inner stillness and boundless awareness. The serene smile plays on his lips, suggesting an unfathomable understanding of the universe. He is depicted in a seated posture, often the lotus position (padmasana), symbolizing spiritual perfection and stability. His hands are clasped in the mudra of meditation, the Vajradhara mudra, signifying the union of wisdom and method, the ultimate unity of all things. This gesture is central to understanding Vajradhara's role as the progenitor of all Buddhas. ––––––––––––––––––––

Symbolism and Iconography

The vibrant blue skin tone of Vajradhara is not merely an aesthetic choice; it symbolizes the boundless, all-pervading nature of enlightened consciousness, akin to the vastness of the sky or the ocean. This color represents the purity of the mind, free from all defilements and limitations. His regal adornments, including the elaborate crown and jeweled ornaments, signify his sovereignty over all spiritual realms and his embodiment of the five Dhyani Buddhas. Each jewel and embellishment carries symbolic meaning, often relating to specific virtues or aspects of the enlightened path. The intricate details of the statue, from the finely sculpted jewelry to the flowing robes, are a testament to the skill of Nepalese artisans. The gold plating adds a divine aura, further enhancing the sacredness of the deity. The base upon which Vajradhara is seated is a richly decorated platform, often a lotus throne, symbolizing purity and spiritual ascent. The various colors and motifs on the base contribute to the overall symbolism, depicting elements that represent the path to enlightenment and the overcoming of obstacles. ––––––––––––––––––––

A Legacy of Devotion

Statues like this are not merely decorative objects; they are potent conduits for spiritual practice and devotion. In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, images of deities serve as focal points for meditation, prayer, and ritual. Meditating upon Vajradhara can help practitioners cultivate wisdom, compassion, and the realization of their own inherent Buddha-nature. The very presence of such a sacred image in a home or temple is believed to invoke blessings, protection, and spiritual transformation. This particular statue, with its commanding presence and exquisite craftsmanship, serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate potential for enlightenment that resides within all beings, as taught by Vajradhara himself. It embodies a tradition that spans millennia, connecting the contemporary devotee to the ancient wisdom of the Dharma.

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.