Gold Plated Copper Alloy and Lapis Decorated 8.5 Shakyamuni Buddha Statue
Gold Plated Copper Alloy and Lapis Decorated with Coral Stones. Shakyamuni Buddha / Sangye Tomba - The Lion of the Shakyas.
Shakyamuni Buddha / Sangye Tomba is the Buddha of our time. He is the glorious root teacher of all the diverse lineages that make up Buddhism as we know it.
Born Siddhartha Gautama more than 2500 years ago, he was the crown prince of the Shakya kingdom located in the Himalayan foothills of what is now southern Nepal. He left luxurious palace life behind him, however, in pursuit of the truth of the origin of suffering and the cessation of fear. His astounding courage, determination, wisdom and compassion led to his perfect enlightenment despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. His teachings have transformed individuals and nations throughout the world and still speak to us today.The Shakyamuni Buddha / Sangye Tomba is depicted with his right hand extended to the earth in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, the gesture of witness. He is "calling the earth to witness" his supreme victory over the temptations and illusions of the material world as symbolized by the demon Mara. His left hand lies in his lap with palm upward in the gesture of meditation (Dhyana Mudra).
In some representations he also holds the begging bowl of an ordained Buddhist monk. The bowl contains three precious nectars indicating that he has conquered the three demons of uncontrolled death, contaminated aggregates, and delusion.Thus, this posture is known as "Buddha Shakyamuni Conquering the Demons" and shows the moment of the Buddha's full enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. This sculpture is a charming portrayal of Shakyamuni Buddha Tomba. Finely sculpted from copper alloy using lost wax method and lapis. The statue has been submitted to gold plating and decorated with coral stones to yield a rich and sensuous finish and has fine intricate hand carvings.
This sculpture was individually handcrafted in Patan, Nepal by master artisans of the Shakya clan who are considered among the best in the world. These craftsmen are the modern heirs to a centuries-old tradition of creating sacred art for use in temples and monasteries. The fine metalworking techniques have been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times.