6" Vajradhara Copper Statue from Nepal | Buddhist Deity Figurines

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6" Vajradhara Copper Statue from Nepal | Buddhist Deity Figurines

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$412.50

$550

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Vajradhara, the primordial Buddha and the dharmakaya Buddha is often portrayed in a deep blue color, symbolizing the embodiment of Buddhahood itself. Vajradhara represents the core essence of the historical Buddha's realization of enlightenment.

It is believed that Shakyamuni Buddha himself manifested in the form of Vajradhara when teaching the tantric path to his most gifted disciples. In artistic depictions, Vajradhara typically holds a Vajra (thunderbolt) and a bell in his left hand, while his arms are crossed in front of him, signifying the perfect integration of wisdom (Prajna) and skilful means (upaya). He usually appears in a seated posture, known as the vajraparyanka, and is adorned with a crown, and an Urna (the auspicious curl of hair between the eyebrows).

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Specifications

	MIS620
	Copper
	Height: 6.5 inch
	Width: 5 inch
	Depth: 2 inch
	Weight 750 gm

Delivery and Return Policies

	Ships in 1-3 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 Symbol of Primordial Consciousness

This exquisite copper statue depicts Vajradhara, a central figure in Vajrayana Buddhism, representing the primordial Buddha and the ultimate source of all enlightened activity. In Tibetan Buddhism, Vajradhara is considered the Dharmakaya aspect of the Buddha, embodying the truth body, the unmanifested reality that is beyond all form and conception. He is often visualized as dark blue or black, signifying his omnipresence and the boundless nature of the enlightened mind. This representation, however, uses the rich, warm tones of copper to convey a sense of tangible, yet divine, presence.

The Adi-Buddha and the Diamond Thunderbolt

The name "Vajradhara" itself is significant. "Vajra" translates to "diamond" or "thunderbolt," symbolizing indestructibility, power, and the unshakeable nature of enlightenment. It is a powerful symbol in Buddhist iconography, representing the sharp, piercing wisdom that cuts through ignorance and delusion, and the unassailable strength of the awakened mind. As the Adi-Buddha, or first Buddha, Vajradhara is the origin of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, the source from which all teachings and enlightenment arise. He is depicted in various tantric traditions as the inseparable union of wisdom and compassion.

Meditative Pose and Iconographic Details

The posture of the statue is deeply symbolic. Seated in a meditative pose, with legs crossed and hands clasped in front, Vajradhara embodies profound stillness and inner peace. The gesture of his hands, often shown holding a vajra and ghanta (bell) together, signifies the union of wisdom and method, or emptiness and form. While not explicitly depicted here, these accoutrements are fundamental to his iconography. The elaborate headdress and ornaments adorning the deity speak to his supreme status and the rich, layered symbolism within Buddhist art. Each element, from the serene expression on his face to the flowing robes, is meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of divine presence and inspire devotion.

Craftsmanship from the Himalayas

Hailing from Nepal, a land steeped in Buddhist tradition and renowned for its artistic heritage, this statue is a testament to the skill and devotion of its creators. Nepalese artisans have for centuries been masters of metal casting, employing traditional techniques passed down through generations. The use of copper, a revered material in many spiritual traditions, lends a timeless quality to the piece, allowing it to age gracefully and develop a beautiful patina over time. This statue is not merely an object of art, but a conduit for spiritual contemplation, bringing the profound essence of Vajradhara into your personal space. It serves as a constant reminder of the potential for enlightenment that resides within each being, waiting to be realized.

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.