8" Bhumisparsha Buddha Idol | Copper Statue from Nepal

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8" Bhumisparsha Buddha Idol | Copper Statue from Nepal

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$403.50

$538

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Bhumi-sparsha or Buddha in Earth Touching Pose is one of the most beautiful and rivetting icons of Buddhism, capturing the episode of Buddha’s victory over the forces of Mara. When provoked by Mara, the demon of desire to prove his truth, Buddha gently touched the earth to call upon the earth-goddess as his witness. As the goddess appeared, Buddha’s enlightened wisdom and spiritual sovereignty were declared, making the moment of Buddha touching the earth a prominent element in Buddhist art.

This exquisite copper statue from Nepal presents the Buddha in Earth touching pose, on a lotus seat, holding an alms bowl in one hand as his other hand reaches the Earth. The statue has been sculpted beautifully, with unpolished copper covered with a golden layer on Buddha’s cheevara (monk’s garment), giving the composition an antique yet rich value.

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Specifications

	WSA073
	Copper
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 3.5 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 1.30 kg

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.

The Earth-Witnessing Gesture

This exquisite copper statue from Nepal captures the profound moment of the Buddha's enlightenment, known as the Bhumisparsha Mudra, or the Earth-Witnessing Gesture. Seated in the traditional lotus posture, the Buddha's right hand gracefully descends towards the earth, fingertips lightly touching the ground. This gesture symbolizes his victory over Mara, the demon who tempted him with worldly pleasures and illusions. It is said that the Buddha called upon the earth as his witness to his renunciation and his attainment of enlightenment. The earth, in its silent wisdom, affirmed his truth, shaking to confirm his rightful awakening. This posture embodies not only the Buddha's ultimate understanding but also the fundamental truth of existence, rooted in the very soil beneath us.

Craftsmanship from the Himalayas

Handcrafted by skilled artisans in Nepal, a land steeped in Buddhist tradition, this statue is a testament to centuries of artistic heritage. The lustrous copper medium is skillfully worked to bring forth the serene countenance and the subtle folds of the Buddha's robes. The intricate detailing on his monastic garment, highlighted with a subtle golden sheen, adds a touch of opulence and reverence. The serene expression on his face, with downcast eyes and a gentle smile, invites contemplation and inner peace. Each element, from the delicate urna on his forehead to the ushnisha crown, speaks of his spiritual perfection. The circular base upon which he sits is equally ornate, featuring a decorative border that enhances the statue's overall elegance.

A Symbol of Enlightenment and Resilience

The Bhumisparsha Mudra is one of the most significant and widely recognized postures of the Buddha. It signifies the moment when Siddhartha Gautama, under the Bodhi tree, finally achieved complete and perfect enlightenment, realizing the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. In Buddhist lore, Mara, representing desire and ignorance, attempted to prevent this by conjuring illusions and tempting the young prince. However, the Buddha remained steadfast, unperturbed by these distractions. The simple yet powerful act of touching the earth symbolized his connection to the fundamental reality of existence and his unshakeable resolve. This statue serves as a constant reminder of this pivotal event, encouraging practitioners to face their own inner demons and to seek enlightenment through perseverance and wisdom. Owning such a piece is an invitation to embrace the Buddha's teachings and to cultivate inner strength and serenity in your own life. The copper medium itself holds significance, often associated with purity and the ability to conduct spiritual energy.

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.