Author Archives: Brenda Marrero

Bhumisparsha Mudra Buddha

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“Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind.” – Buddha

This hand carved Cambodian Buddha is seated in the ‘earth touching’ gesture or ‘earth witness’ also known as bhumisparsha mudra. This gesture is performed by extending the right hand downwards to touch the ground with its fingertips. It symbolizes the precise moment when the awakening Buddha, Shakyamuni, vanquished the army of Mara beneath the bodhi tree and summoned the goddess of the earth, Sthavara, to bear witness to his countless acts of sacrifice. Shakyamuni Buddha is commonly represented upon his enlightenment throne with his right hand touching the earth, and his left hand resting upon his lap in the gesture of meditation. This symbolizes the union of his method or skillful means in overcoming Mara (right hand), through the perfect wisdom of his deep meditation upon emptiness (left hand).
CLICK HERE TO SEE NEW ARRIVALS IN DHARMA SCULPTURE’S GALLERY

CLICK HERE TO SEE NEW ARRIVALS IN DHARMA SCULPTURE’S GALLERY

Cambodian Soapstone Buddha

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Soapstone also known as “steatite” or “soaprock” is a stone which is notable for its high degree of resistance to heat. In Cambodia, soapstone, which mostly comes from the province of Pursat (in the western part of the country) has been used to carve religious effigies since the 17th century. Any variation in the color of the stone is inherent to the very nature of the material, its array varies from yellow-green to gray and deep purple.

This Buddha has a distinct Cambodian style. Lord Buddha is in the the ‘earth touching’ gesture or ‘earth witness’ also known as bhumisparsha mudra. He is seated on a separately carved single lotus base. Lord Buddha is depicted with heavy eyelids that evoke a mood of introspection and detachment, enhanced by the hint of a smile on the full lips. The distended earlobes, a legacy of Prince Siddhartha’s discarding his heavy gold jewelry further indicates the Buddha’s enlightened status. A simple yet elegant carving. It is unpolished and thus has a matte finish.

This sculpture is a one of a kind statue, hand carved by the very talented artists of Cambodia. Every piece is truly unique!

CLICK HERE TO SEE NEW ARRIVALS IN DHARMA SCULPTURE’S GALLERY

Buddha’s Disciple, Praying Orant of Angkor Wat Statue

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This piece is inspired by the Adorned Orant of Angkor Wat, a XVth century piece found in the National Museum of Phnom Penh. Orants are compassionate beings, disciples of the Buddha. They are also symbols of good luck and are often placed in the entrance of homes welcoming guests. This Orant is kneeling, expressing humility. His hands are in anjali mudra, the universal greeting and gesture of respect throughout the Buddhist world. This mudra is formed by placing the palms together at the level of the heart, with the fingertips pointed upward.

CLICK HERE TO SEE NEW ARRIVALS IN DHARMA SCULPTURE’S GALLERY

CLICK HERE TO SEE NEW ARRIVALS IN DHARMA SCULPTURE’S GALLERY

Beautiful Antique Wood Buddha Statues with Unique Blush Tones

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These 3 beautiful antique wood Buddha statues have unique blush tones. The Buddha’s are marked with symbols of Lord Buddha’s enlightened state such as the cranial protuberance (ushnisha), which symbolizes the Buddha’s wisdom and openness as an enlightened being as well as elongated earlobes, a vestige of the Buddha’s life as a prince when he wore extravagant jewelry. They display the protection gesture also known as the abhaya mudra. These wood sculptures are one of a kind statues, hand carved by the very talented artists of Cambodia.

CLICK HERE TO SEE NEW ARRIVALS IN DHARMA SCULPTURE’S GALLERY

Beautiful Rama and Sita

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These beautiful Rama and Sita carvings are made from a hibiscus flower tree. The gradation of color in the wood is absolutely striking and the details are just brilliant! You can immediately see how the artist has succeeded in creating exceptional detail, as evidenced in the emotive faces and very intricate crowns which adorn each piece. It took the artist 3 months to carve these stunning masterpieces.

Lord Rama is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Rama represents an ideal man. In the story of Ramayana, Rama’s personality depicts him as the perfect son, devoted brother, true husband, trusted friend, ideal king, and a noble adversary. Rama is always ready to destroy evil and protect righteousness. He is himself an embodiment of dharma. Sita symbolizes an ideal daughter, wife, mother, and queen. Whereas Rama symbolizes standards of perfection that can be conceived in all the facets of a man’s life, mother Sita represents all that is great and noble in womanhood, the perfect embodiment of purity in thoughts, words, and deeds. She is revered as an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the divine consort of Lord Vishnu.

These masterpiece wood sculptures are entirely hand carved by the very talented artists of Bali, Indonesia. Every piece is truly unique!

CLICK HERE TO SEE NEW ARRIVALS IN DHARMA SCULPTURE’S GALLERY

The Eight Buddhist Auspicious Symbols

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This beautiful hand made incense burner and incense storage box is decorated with the eight auspicious symbols (Ashtamangala in Sanskrit). They are a group of Buddhist symbols that appear on many Buddhist textiles, objects and paintings. Each symbol represents an aspect of Buddhist teaching and when they appear together, their powers are multiplied.

The Parasol (Chhatra) symbolizes the wholesome activity of preserving beings from illness, harmful forces, obstacles and so forth in this life and all kinds of temporary and enduring sufferings of the three lower realms, and the realms of men and gods in future lives. It also represents the enjoyment of a feast of benefit from under its cool shade.

The Golden Fish (Matsya) symbolizes the auspiciousness of all living beings in a state of fearlessness, without danger of drowning in the ocean of sufferings, and migrating from place to place freely and spontaneously, just as fish swim freely without fear through water.

The Treasure Vase (Kalasa) symbolizes an endless rain of long life, wealth and prosperity and all the benefits of this world and liberation

The Lotus Flower (Padma) symbolizes the complete purification of the defilements of the body, speech and mind, and the full blossoming of wholesome deeds in blissful liberation.

The Conch Shell (Sankha) which coils to the right symbolizes the deep, far-reaching and melodious sound of the Dharma teachings, which being appropriate to different natures, predispositions and aspirations of disciples, awakens them from the deep slumber of ignorance and urges them to accomplish their own and others’ welfare.

The Endless Knot (Shrivasta) symbolizes the mutual dependence of religious doctrine and secular affairs. Similarly, it represents the union of wisdom and method, the inseparability of emptiness and dependent arising at the time of path, and finally, at the time of enlightenment, the complete union of wisdom and great compassion.

The Victory Banner (Dhwoja) symbolizes the victory of the activities of one’s own and others body, speech and mind over obstacles and negativity. It also stands for the complete victory of the Buddhist Doctrine over all harmful and pernicious forces.

The Wheel of the Dharma (Dharmachakra) symbolizes the auspiciousness of the turning of the precious wheel of Buddha’s doctrine, both in its teachings and realizations, in all realms and at all times, enabling beings to experience the joy of good deeds and liberation.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW NEW ARRIVALS IN DHARMA SCULPTURE’S GALLERY

Vajrasattva Copper Statue with Dorje and Ghanta, 14″

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Vajrasattva Copper Primordial Buddha of all Mandalas

Vajrasattva, also known as the primordial Buddha of all Mandalas, symbolizes the purification of delusions that obscure minds. Vajrasattva holds in front of his heart a vajra (dorje), representing the mind’s enlightened essence. Above his left thigh he holds a bell (ghanta), representing insight into the empty nature of reality.  Vajrasattva stands for the total purification of the afflictive passions that lead to unfavorable rebirths. Through Vajrasattva‘s hundred-syllable mantra, the shroud covering enlightened awareness can be completely removed.

This Vajrasattva statue is inlaid with semi-precious stones. He wears a beautifully carved robe and a mukut over his head. He sits in the meditative pose above a single lotus base.

The base of the piece is sealed with a double vajra symbolizing the balance of the four elements and harmony of the four directions. There are 2 separate pieces to this statue, the Buddha and the base.

This lost wax method copper sculpture is a one of a kind statue, hand cast by the very talented artists of the beautiful country of Nepal. Every piece is truly unique!

Buddha Head Gilded Wood Cambodian Statue, 10″

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Buddha head cambodian gilded wood statue

Lord Buddha is depicted with heavy eyelids that evoke a mood of introspection and detachment, enhanced by the hint of a smile on His full lips. The distended earlobes, a legacy of Prince Siddhartha’s discarding of his heavy gold jewelry, further indicates the Buddha’s enlightened status.

About Wood Lacquering & Gilding: The artisans begin this process by sizing the wood, before applying colors made with natural pigments. The pieces can be adorned with copper or gold leaf gilding. Pieces that are glossy are sanded and polished in order to give them their glossy finish. Some pieces may be lacquered, smoothed and then varnished.

This wood sculpture is a one of a kind statue, hand carved by the very talented artists of Cambodia.

Naga Mahakala, Protector of Dharma, Copper Sculpture, 10″

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Naga Mahakala, Protector of Dharma Wax method copper sculpture

Mahakala, Glorious Lord of Pristine Awareness. Fiercely wrathful, staring with three bulging round eyes, mouth gaping with bared fangs and hanging snakes for hair. Holding aloft in the right hand, pointed to the sky, a flaming lance, and in the left a poisoned heart and lasso.

Mahakala is adorned with a crown of five dry skulls, earrings and a skirt of fresh human heads. Tucked into the sash at the waist is a ghandi stick made of sandalwood. He is dressed in boots, with the right leg bent and left straight standing atop two human corpses, thus symbolizing the death of negativities and the complete uprooting of negative patterns to such a point that, like a dead body, they will not come to life. Mahakala stands surrounded by the burning flames of pristine awareness.

Both Hindus and Buddhists worship Mahakala. Buddhists consider him as a manifestation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Mahakala is always seen in the entrance of Buddhist monasteries. He is regarded as the protector of the Buddhist doctrine.

This lost wax method copper sculpture is a one of a kind statue, hand cast by the very talented artists of the beautiful country of Nepal. Every piece is truly unique!

Buddha Statue in Dharmachakra Mudra Dark Wood, 20″

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Buddha Statue Dharmachakra Mudra Dark wood

Lord Buddha’s hands are in the dharmachakra mudra, the gesture of teaching. Dharma means ‘law’ and chakra means ‘wheel.’ Together they mean “turning the Wheel of Law.” This hand gesture was used by Lord Buddha while preaching his first sermon in Sarnath.
This sculpture was entirely hand carved and hand painted in Bali, Indonesia. Every piece is truly unique!