8" Bhumi-Sparsha Buddha from Nepal
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100% Handmade
100% Handmade
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MADE IN INDIA.

8" Bhumi-Sparsha Buddha from Nepal

$1068.75
$1425
25% off
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Only 1 available
Specifications
MIV831
Copper Statue
Height: 8 inch
Width: 6 inch
Depth: 4.5 inch
Weight 1.60 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 6 days
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Gesture of Earth Witnessing

This exquisite copper statue depicts the Buddha in the Bhumi-Sparsha Mudra, the gesture of "earth-witnessing." This powerful pose is deeply symbolic, representing the moment of Siddhartha Gautama's enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. As he was about to achieve Nirvana, the demon Mara, lord of the underworld and illusion, attempted to disrupt his meditation. Mara summoned his demon army and challenged Siddhartha's right to attain enlightenment. In response, Siddhartha calmly extended his right hand, fingers pointing downwards, touching the earth. The earth itself bore witness to his past deeds of compassion and merit, and it affirmed his rightful claim to enlightenment, thereby repelling Mara and his forces.

A Testament to Nepalese Craftsmanship

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail by skilled artisans in Nepal, this statue embodies centuries of artistic tradition. The rich patina of the copper, enhanced by the passage of time, lends a sense of antiquity and sacredness. The serene expression on the Buddha's face, the intricate detailing of his robes, and the deliberate posture all speak to the profound spiritual depth of Buddhist iconography. Each element is rendered with a reverence that invites contemplation and meditation. The traditional embellishments on his shoulders and the delicate pattern on his robes are characteristic of Nepalese art, where form and spirituality are intrinsically linked.

Invoking Inner Peace and Strength

The Bhumi-Sparsha Mudra is a potent symbol of unwavering resolve, grounding, and the triumph of spiritual truth over adversity. Placing this statue in your home or meditation space can serve as a constant reminder of the Buddha's journey and the inner strength accessible to all. It encourages the practitioner to remain steadfast in their pursuit of wisdom and compassion, even in the face of challenges. The grounding nature of the gesture can help to cultivate a sense of stability and peace, connecting one to the natural rhythms of the earth and the profound stillness within. This representation of the Buddha is not merely an object of art but a conduit for invoking inner peace and resilience. ––––––––––––––––––––

Cultural Significance and Symbolism

In Nepalese culture and Buddhist traditions worldwide, the Bhumi-Sparsha Mudra holds immense significance. It is a visual representation of overcoming delusion and attachment, and the ultimate victory of awareness and compassion. The earth, often revered as a mother goddess in various cultures, here acts as a witness, validating the purity of the Buddha's intentions and the authenticity of his enlightenment. This mudra is a powerful assertion of presence, courage, and the understanding that true strength comes from within, supported by the fundamental truths of existence. It is a pose that resonates with anyone seeking to remain grounded and true to themselves amidst the often turbulent currents of 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.
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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.
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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.
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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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