(Made in Nepal) Tibetan Buddhist Deity Padmasambhava or Rin Poche

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(Made in Nepal) Tibetan Buddhist Deity Padmasambhava or Rin Poche

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$494

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Guru Padmasambhava was a divine manifestation of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha. He was said to have incarnated as a fully enlightened being from a lotus, hence was also referred to as ‘Lotus-Born’. He was a tantric guru who played a major role in transmitting Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan, Tibet and various other neighbouring countries, where he was popularly revered as Guru Rinpoche (Precious Guru). This copper sculpture of Guru Padmasambhava is crafted in its beauty by the expert sculptors of Nepal, where Buddhism and Hinduism are the two major influencers of its sculptural art style. The entire sculpture is painted in bright colours, keeping into consideration his iconic colours of the multiple layers of robe along with a smooth and glossy texture that attracts the viewer’s attention.

Shakyamuni Buddha, before his mahaparinirvana, had already predicted the coming of Guru Padmasambhava with a statement that, “Padmasambhava will be even more enlightened than himself”, indicating towards his importance and him being already born as ‘the awakened one’. The deity sits here in his comfortable posture on a lotus pedestal symbolic of him being emerged out of it and holds a five-pronged vajra in the right hand and left rests in a gesture of equanimity holding a vase of longevity filled with the nectar of deathless wisdom. The khatvanga, a danda, cradled in his left arm has the severed heads denoting the three kayas (the three bodies of a Buddha: the dharmakaya, sambhogakaya, and nirmanakaya), crowned by a trishula and dressed in a sash of the five pure lights of the Mahabhuta.

The sculptor has restricted to the amazing combination of blue, red and green colours in the sculpture along with lavish floral decorations in gold for the border, choker necklace and large kundals. He is veiled in layers of a dark blue mantrayana tunic, red monastic shawl decorated in exotic flower patterns and a maroon kingly robe in silk. A similar colour shade is formed for his petalled lotus crown. Zoom in to the face for the captivating pierced gaze of his wide-open blue eyes along with the wrathful and smiling expressions also highlighted with the magnificent carve of his eyebrows and moustache.

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Specifications

	ZEM709
	COPPER STATUE FROM NEPAL
	Height: 8.9 inch
	Width: 5.7 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.40 kg

Delivery and Return Policies


	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 Revered Master's Form

This exquisite copper statue, meticulously crafted in Nepal, embodies the sacred presence of Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche. Revered as the "Precious Guru," Padmasambhava is a pivotal figure in Tibetan Buddhism, credited with establishing the Nyingma school and bringing the teachings of tantric Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century. His arrival was prophesied, and his mastery over tantric practices and profound wisdom were instrumental in overcoming obstacles and pacifying malevolent forces that resisted the spread of Dharma. This statue captures his serene yet powerful demeanor, inviting contemplation and devotion.

Iconographic Significance

Padmasambhava is depicted seated in a regal posture, signifying his elevated status and authority. His attire, a vibrant and intricately detailed ensemble of robes, reflects the richness of Tibetan artistry and the symbolic meanings attributed to each color and pattern. The elaborate crown adorning his head symbolizes his enlightened mind and his role as a spiritual king. In one hand, he holds a ritualistic object, perhaps a vajra or a bell, representing the indestructible nature of enlightenment and the resonance of the Dharma. The other hand rests open, palm upward, in a gesture of generosity and blessing. He holds aloft a symbolic implement, often a dorje (vajra) or a khyung (garuda), representing his power to overcome negativities. The presence of these attributes further deepens the understanding of his profound spiritual authority and benevolent intentions.

A Legacy of Wisdom and Compassion

The legend of Padmasambhava is interwoven with tales of his miraculous birth, his journeys across the Himalayas, and his subduing of local deities and demons who had obstructed the Dharma. He is revered for his profound teachings, his ability to reveal hidden treasures (terma) of spiritual wisdom for future generations, and his role as a protector of practitioners on the path to enlightenment. This statue serves as a tangible reminder of his enduring legacy, inspiring practitioners to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and unwavering faith. The craftsmanship speaks to the dedication of Nepalese artisans who continue to uphold ancient traditions of sacred art, infusing each creation with spiritual devotion.

Sacred Artistry from the Himalayas

Hand-made in Nepal, a land rich in spiritual heritage and artistic traditions, this copper statue is a testament to the skill and devotion of its creators. The use of copper as the material further imbues the artwork with symbolic meaning, as copper is often associated with purification and spiritual conductivity. The meticulous painting and detailed embellishments bring the divine form to life, making it a focal point for meditation, prayer, or as a sacred adornment for any spiritual space. Its presence offers a conduit to the blessings and wisdom of Guru Rinpoche, fostering a deeper connection to the Buddhist path.

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.