Author Archives: Brenda Marrero

This beautiful Shakyamuni Buddha statue is seated in dhyana asana or meditative pose. In this position, the legs are crossed, closely locked with the soles of both feet visible. Lord Buddha is wearing a beautiful detailed carved monastic robe incised with floral motifs. He is seated on a single lotus base also known as padmasana.

The Buddha Shakyamuni, at the moment of enlightenment, invoked the earth as witness, as indicated by the fingers of his right hand, which spread downward in bhumisparsha mudra, “the earth touching gesture”. As the Buddhist sutras narrate, the sun and moon stood still, and all the creatures of the world came to offer respect to the Supreme One who had broken through the boundaries of egocentric existence. All Buddhist art celebrates this moment and leads the viewer toward the Buddha’s experience of selfless and unsurpassed enlightenment.

The first humanlike representations of the Buddha are said to have been drawn on canvas from rays of golden light emanating from his body. Later Buddhist art pictured the Buddha in numerous manifestations, but always as a model of human potential, never as a historically identifiable person. All forms of the Buddha, however, are commonly shown seated on a lotus throne (as seen here), a symbol of the mind’s transcendent nature. As a lotus rises from the mud to bloom unsoiled in open space, so too does the mind rise through the discord of its own experience to blossom in the boundlessness of unconditional awareness.

“Be a light unto yourself,” Buddha Shakyamuni declared at the end of his life. Become a Buddha, an awakened being, he urged, but never a blind follower of tradition.

The piece is made of copper and hand painted. The lotus throne and other parts of the statue are gilded with 24 karat gold. The base of the piece is sealed with a small double vajra symbolizing the balance of the four elements and harmony of the four directions. This statue is a beautiful portrayal of Shakyamuni!

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.

http://www.dharmasculpture.com/category/new-arrivals.html

This stunning piece is quite old and has been in the possession of one of our artist’s family for some time. It was part of their private collection. Shiva is seated with his loyal and loving wife, Parvati. The small bull is Nandi, Shiva’s vehicle and gatekeeper. As depicted in this piece, when the husband and wife are together in sculpture Shiva is generally larger. The motif on the base resembles their mountain home of Kailasa.

Shiva’s lower right hand is in the vitarka mudra. His upper right hand holds a string of malas (prayer beads). His upper left hand holds an axe while his lower left hand is caressing Parvati’s breast. He wears an elaborate head dress with a crescent moon and has a cobra sitting on his right shoulder. Shiva’s third eye is a symbol of higher consciousness.

Shiva the Destroyer, the Creator and Auspicious One, is one of the main deities of Hinduism, worshipped as the paramount lord by the Saivite sects of India. Shiva is one of the most complex Hindu gods, embodying seemingly contradictory qualities. He is the destroyer and the restorer, the great ascetic and the symbol of sensuality, the benevolent herdsman of souls and the wrathful avenger. He often holds a trident, which represents the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. It is also said to represent the threefold qualities of nature: creation, preservation and destruction, although preservation is usually attributed to Vishnu.

The crescent moon that Shiva wears on his crown, besides being a symbol of Kama the goddess of nightly love, is also representative of Nandi embodying sexual energy and fertility.

http://www.dharmasculpture.com/category/new-arrivals.html

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE

A devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on Saturday April 25, 2015.

Fortunately, the internet has continued to be a conduit for information for many, and our friends have been able to communicate with us. Thankfully, everyone we know is safe and unharmed, but thousands have been injured, died, and lost their homes and livelihoods.

Every evening we have been speaking on the phone and communicating with our friends and artists in Nepal, getting updates on the situation and hearing of their needs. They have informed us that big organizations are jammed with the promise of donations but slow with distributions. And that’s not the critical need: cash donations don’t help because they cannot buy anything there due to shortages. Imagine you are an artist, a person, a mother or brother, in the middle of a disaster zone. What do you need critically, now? You need food, medicine, tents, water, masks; basically, you need life sustaining food and materials.

As a token of solidarity with our friends and artists, our brothers and sisters in Nepal, we will be making donations.  We ask you to share our goal of helping to save lives and support livelihoods.

Every dollar you donate will go directly to buying what they need NOW – canned goods, medicine, tents, etc. – and transporting these items to Kathmandu.  Where our partners and our supply chain exist, we will use them to flow back help and support. Items will be collected by our good friends and artists, Sanam and Suresh, who will directly distribute items to the villages and those most in need.  We will also be making contributions via the Schechen Monastery since they are also able to reach the remote areas and have been doing so since the earthquake.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE

If you would like to send goods directly, please send them to: Dharma Sculpture 1834 Ord Way, Oceanside, CA 92056.  We will manage the onward transportation to Nepal from here.

We will provide you with receipts of your donations and also update you on how the money is spent.

At this dark and painful time, words fail to convey how deeply we feel for everyone affected. We send condolences and support to all the victims and their families. As devastating as this is, however, we feel hope and confidence that the beautiful people of Nepal and the country will soon recover with great strength and spirit.

Brenda Marrero
Founder, Dharma Sculpture

Below is a list of other donation-worthy organizations doing vital aid work following the earthquake:

AmeriCares
The disaster relief organization AmeriCares has announced that it is deploying an emergency response team in Nepal, reporting that it leverages every dollar of donations into $20 in aid. Click here to donate.

Bodhivastu
Bodhivastu is “a non-profit org led by Lama Rangbar, a student of HH Chatral Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche. We already have a ground crew mobilzed and providing relief, focusing on the remote ares of Sankhu and Yomo, since Lama lived in Nepal for 20 years and still has staff there and we work through the Himalayan Light Foundation locally in Nepal. Lama has established his own center in Sankhu as an emergency relief shelter for the upper villagers. We are providing tents, sending food and medical supplies.To donate, please go to our website, call 845.226.6663 or email [email protected]. Thank you for any help you can provide!”

Direct Relief
California-based humanitarian organization Direct Relief has pledged financial and medical resources to relief efforts in Nepal, and is inviting donations. Since 2008, Direct Relief has delivered $1,000,000 worth of medicines and supplies to organizations in Nepal. The organization states that 100% of donations will be used for relief efforts in Nepal, not for general support or other program activities. Click here to donate.

FPMT
The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) has created a Nepal Earthquake Support Fund, “to provide for the immediate and long-term needs of Kopan Monastery and Nunnery and other local FPMT centers resulting from the devastation caused by the Nepal earthquake. […]. In addition, the fund will be used to offer immediate relief and support to other areas in the Himalayan region such as the village of Thame (Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s birthplace) where there has been an incredible amount of destruction. If sufficient funds are raised, grants may also be provided to other carefully vetted organizations providing earthquake relief efforts.”

GlobalGiving.org
GlobalGiving.org says donations “will support earthquake recovery and relief efforts in Nepal. Initially, the fund will help first responders meet survivors’ immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products, and shelter. Once initial relief work is complete, this fund will transition to support longer-term recovery efforts run by local, vetted local organizations.”

Via Grand Circle Foundation: “Grand Circle Foundation has pledged to match up to $50,000 of your donations when you give by Monday, May 4. We’ve chosen to contribute to the American Red Cross—a leading humanitarian organization with the worldwide clout and experience to truly make a difference.”

The Karmapa Service Society is inviting donations at their office in Elmhurst, NY (40-08 76th Street, Elmhurst, NY, 11373, phone: 718-747-4507 / 646-671-0041). All donations will be directed to the organization’s branch in Nepal, which is directly involved in rescue operations.

Karuna Shechen
Karuna Shechen is a humanitarian organization that was founded by Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard in 2000. It has announced that all donations the organization receives for the next 30 days will be directed towards earthquake relief efforts. Click here to donate.

Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche
Nepali teacher Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche has also announced the creation of a relief fund, focused on first aid relief, food, water, shelter, and reconstruction. Volunteers at Rinpoche’s Nepali monasteries have been providing first aid to earthquake victims. “Any help at all will greatly benefit the cause.” Click here to donate.

The Marpa Foundation
The Marpa Foundation, established in 1994 under the spiritual direction of Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, writes: “everyone in the Tek Chok Ling community is safe, but its buildings sustained damage. We are still assessing the extent of the damage but we know that the nunnery and its guesthouse will need to be repaired, the Yolmo retreat facility needs to be rebuilt, and there will be many other earthquake-related expenses. To help Tek Chok Ling and its community repair, rebuild, and rejuvenate, please consider donating to this special fund.

Oxfam International
Oxfam International: “We are preparing to supply clean water and hygiene equipment to thousands of people in Nepal following a devastating earthquake. Your help now will help us to save lives.”

Save the Children
Save The Children, founded in 1919, supports children around the world through education, health care, development, and emergency aid relief. The organization has worked in Nepal since 1976. It has announced the Nepal Earthquake Children’s Relief Fund, to provide relief for children and families, with 10% of donations going towards preparation for the next natural emergency. Click here to donate.

Seva
Seva works to prevent and restore blindness in the developing world. Having worked in Nepal
since 1978, the organizations has announced the Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund, with 100% of donations going towards support for earthquake victims  Click here to donate.

Schechen

Schechen Earthquake Relief http://shechen.org/donate
“Please consider making a contribution to our earthquake relief fund in order to administer care to the community.”

Kyabgon Phakchok Rinpoche

Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche has also announced the creation of a relief fund, writing, “The immediate concern is of course first aid relief, however, after an earthquake there are not only the immediate needs of those injured, there are also concerns of food, water, shelter and months of re-construction. […] Any help at all will greatly benefit the cause. Donations can be made here via PayPal.”

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche on Monday wrote to followers, asking them to consider making a donation toShedrub Development Fund, toward “rescue efforts, rebuilding homes, and assisting those in need. This is our recommended fund for all donations to help repair the monastery and nunnery and provide wider assistance in Nepal. We will take full responsibility for ensuring that the funds donated reach those in greatest need.”

The Tibet Fund
The Tibet Fund “has established an Emergency Earthquake Relief Fund and is working with credible and reliable partners in Nepal, such as the Snow Lion Foundation and The Himalayan Society for Youth and Women Empowerment (HSYWE) to ensure that resources reach those most affected by the quake. These organizations are bringing urgently needed supplies and assistance to survivors and coordinating long-term efforts to rebuild communities. Even a small contribution will make a huge difference in the lives of those who have been tragically affected by the natural disaster.”

Unicef: “Children in Nepal need your help. Please donate what you can today.” In Canada, any donations to Unicef will be matched by the Canadian government and corporate sponsors, tripling the impact of every contribution.

Upaya Zen Center has created a Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund and “will allocate it to a NGO in the area that we have relationships with and whose good work we can verify.  We will choose organizations led by individuals with whom we have ongoing and productive relationships. We will make periodic reports back to all who make a donation.”

Antique Finish Angkor King Jayavarman Statue 12″

Antique Earth Touching Cambodian Buddha Statue 16″

Cambodian Wood Buddha Head Statue 12″

Buddha’s Disciple, Kneeling Orant of Angkor Wat Statue 30″

Meditating Khmer Angkor King Jayavarman Statue 25″

Meditating Cambodian Wood Buddha Statue 15″

Antique Finish Meditating Wood Buddha Statue 15″

Golden Throne Earth Touching Buddha Statue 21″

Golden Earth Touching Buddha on Lotus Base 20″

Antique Meditating Cambodian Buddha Statue 17″

We have just added 24 Cambodian statues from our most recent procurement which represent the various artistic styles of our Cambodian artists.
http://www.dharmasculpture.com/category/new-arrivals.html

Large Thousand Arms Avalokiteshvara Statue 63″

Large Thousand Arms of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara Copper Statue.

This piece is made of copper inlaid with turquoise and coral.
There are 7 separate parts: the main body, the top 4 heads, the back panel, the 17 arms to the right, the 17 arms to the left, the bottom throne which is decorated with 2 lions on each side, and above the throne the double lotus base on which he stands. The back of the piece was made using a process called repoussé, the process of ornamenting metallic surfaces with designs in relief hammered out from the back by hand.

An absolutely beautiful, one of a kind masterpiece!

http://www.dharmasculpture.com/category/new-arrivals.html

Antique Finish Muchalinda Meditating Buddha Statue

Antique Finish Khmer Muchalinda Buddha Statue

Antique Wood Earth Touching Muchalinda Buddha Statue

Antique Muchalinda Naga Protection Buddha Statue

Golden Meditating Muchalinda Buddha Statue

These Cambodian carvings of Lord Buddha sheltered by Muchalinda, the serpent king, have serene expressions and well proportioned facial features. While Muchalinda is present in a number of accounts of the Buddha’s life, this depiction corresponds with an episode following the Buddha’s attainment of nirvana.

While residing in the bliss of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, heavy rains brought by the monsoon were threatening to disturb the Buddha’s meditation. Stirring from his abode at the base of the tree, Muchalinda coiled himself around Lord Buddha for seven days to shield him from the raging elements of the storm. Once the storm passed, the serpent king assumed his human form, bowed before Lord Buddha and returned to his palace. Thereafter, Muchalinda was considered the Buddha’s protector and was designated by the Enlightened One as the guardian of mantras and sacred texts. Statues symbolizing this episode of the life of Lord Buddha were omnipresent in the Angkor region of Cambodia.

http://www.dharmasculpture.com/category/new-arrivals.html

We have just received this absolutely beautiful Avalokiteshvara statue, known as the Bodhisattva of Compassion. This is a one of a kind masterpiece hand crafted by a Newari artisan in the small town of Patan, Nepal.

In Buddhist legend, the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara vowed to liberate all sentient beings from suffering but when he realized the magnitude of his task, his head exploded into countless pieces. His body was then reassembled by the Buddha Amitabha and the Bodhisattva Vajrapani into this omniscient form of Avalokiteshvara, with eleven heads and a thousand arms. Avalokiteshvara’s multiple tiers of heads are crowned by the fierce blue face of Vajrapani and the red face of Amitabha, symbols of uncompromising compassion and the boundless light of the awakened mind.

“Try to develop a good heart, a warm heart, a compassionate heart,” the Dalai Lama urges. “This is very important for society as well as for one’s own health and piece of mind. To reject belief in formal institutionalized religion is perfectly all right, but to reject a good heart is destructive to oneself and others.” Public Address, 1997 by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

http://www.dharmasculpture.com/category/new-arrivals.html

Javanese Brass Ganesha Hindu Statue

Sharanagamana Mudra Javanese Tara Statue

Varada Mudra Javanese Brass Buddha Statue

Javanese Brass Avalokiteshvara, Chenrezig Statue

Our shipment of brass statues from the island of Java, Indonesia is finally here!

Our new arrivals include an elegant standing Tara statue with soft and sensitive modeling which is a jewel of Javanese art work.  This beautiful Tara statue radiates and aura of mysticism.

There is also an Avalokiteshvara which reflects the superb craftsmanship of the Javanese metal workers.  It bears all the hallmarks of Javanese sculptural style, as evident by its round head.

We have received a shipment of small Cambodian wood Buddhas which will be added to our online gallery next week.

http://www.dharmasculpture.com/