13" Shakyamuni Buddha Idol From Nepal | Handmade Buddha Idol | Copper Gilded Gold With Stone Work

The traditional iconography of Nepal is used in this stunning gilded copper statue to depict the oceanic stillness of Buddha Shakyamuni (the Shakya ascetic), in his Bhumi-sparsha aspect. The Bhumi-sparsha or earth-touching gesture of Buddha narrates the episode of Buddha defeating the forces of Mara, the demon of desire. Mara challenged Buddha to prove his worth as an enlightened being, and as an answer, Tathagata called upon the universal witness, goddess earth, or Vasudhara to become his witness.

Amidst all this motion, Buddha remained firm and immovable, thus making Bhumi-sparsha mudra a prominent moment in Buddhism, which teaches the followers to embody the calmness of Buddha in the face of the world’s challenges.

In this sculpture, Buddha sits on a beautiful lotus seat, with intricately patterned Cheevara or monk’s garments, studded with precious stones. His sacred attributes- urna (forehead mark), ushnisha (cranial bump), curled hair, three lines of flesh folds on the neck, broad chest, and lovely limbs are presented with perfection. The softly delineated eyes of the Buddha, with charming hints of colors create an effect of depth, that pulls the onlooker closer to the icon of the Buddha, and as a result, closer to his iconic life.