Shakyamuni - The Lion of the Shakyas

Shakyamuni 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.

Gestures and Attributes

The Buddha is depicted with his right hand extended to the earth in the  Bhumispara 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.

About this Sculpture

Expertly cast from copper alloy and fully gilded with 24 karat gold, this sculpture is a profoundly moving representation of Buddha Shakyamuni. He sits  majestically upon a single lotus throne, his head slightly bowed, smiling  softly in sublime meditation. His monastic robes drape beautifully across his  shoulder and arm, and are exquisitely detailed throughout the statue.   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.

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About the Artisans

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.

For more information, please visit our About Us  page.

About Our Store

We are a family-owned traditional business located in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Our handcrafted metal statues, original thangka paintings and Buddhist ritual items are among the finest made in the world today.  Our eBay store, Shakya Statues Trade,  showcases items currently available at our showrooms in the historic city of Patan  and in the Thamel district of Kathmandu.

Each of our items is handcrafted by local artisans who have spent a lifetime learning  and perfecting their skills. Our master craftsmen come from families who have practiced  these ancient Nepalese arts for centuries. Many of our finer statues and thangkas have  taken more than a year to create. When you purchase a piece of original artwork from  Shakya Statues Trade, you are helping to support a beautiful and ancient tradition.

To learn more, please visit our  About Us  page.

Shipping

Each order is shipped directly from the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. We make every  effort to pack and ship within 48 hours of receiving your payment. Special  services such as Consecration and Silk Brocade require a few extra days of handling time depending on the availability of the Lama and the amount of brocade work to be done.

Your items will be packed with the utmost care and then shipped to you anywhere  in the world by DHL Express. We will send you a tracking number and you can track  your package on the DHL website.  The expected delivery time for DHL is 3 to 5 business days worldwide.

Full insurance is always included on every order. Please note that someone will need to sign for your package when it arrives. Also  please let us know your phone number when you place your order.  DHL requires a phone number for the package recipient  in case there are any problems with the delivery.

All of our shipping fees are based on weight. We are always happy to  combine shipping for any of our items. To calculate a combined shipping fee, simply add the weights of the products together (weights are given in the tables at the top of each listing) and use the  Shipping Calculator  to determine your combined shipping cost.

Payment by Credit Card

When you enter checkout, a secure credit card checkout will automatically appear if eBay detects that you don't already have a PayPal account or if you can't remember your password.

If you have any problems, please don't hesitate to  contact us.

Return Policy

Your satisfaction is above all important to us. If you wish to return your order for any reason we will provide a full refund of the purchase price provided you notify us within ten business days of receipt and return the item to us in new  condition (shipping fees are not refundable). The only exception is with  consecrated items for which we are unable to accept returns.

If you are dissatisfied for any reason please don't hesitate to  contact us. We will do everything possible to ensure you are happy with the transaction. Please let us try to resolve any problems before leaving negative feedback.