Medicine Buddha – Buddhist Handmade Statue, Gold Plated with Face Painted
Item Code: HME31221
Weight: 1576 grams
Size (CM): 22 × 14 × 10
Material: Copper
Availability: Available
Medicine Buddha – Brief Introduction
Bhaisajyaguru, known as the Medicine Buddha or Healing Buddha, is revered as the dispenser of spiritual medicine. It is believed that proper devotion to him can bring healing, and in some traditions, even touching his image may aid recovery. In Tibetan Buddhism, he may be depicted either as a Buddha or a Bodhisattva.
As a Buddha, he displays two significant marks: the Urna (a small round protuberance above the bridge of the nose) and the Ushnisha (a bulge on the top of the head). He is portrayed with short, curly hair, wearing a monastic robe, and seated in a cross-legged posture. His left hand rests in his lap in the meditation mudra holding a medicine bowl, while his right hand, in the charity mudra, holds either a branch or the fruit of the myrobalan, a medicinal plant found in India and tropical regions.
Gold-Painted Face
The face of the Medicine Buddha is delicately painted with gold, accentuating the fine details of the eyes and lips—features that metalwork alone cannot fully capture. This gold face painting is both an artistic and sacred act, preparing the statue for consecration and practice. In Buddhist tradition, painting the face signifies imbuing the statue with life, presence, and spiritual energy. It reflects the artisan’s devotion and ensures every detail is honored in the sacred representation of the Medicine Buddha.
Full Fire Gold Plating
This statue is finished with traditional full fire gold plating, also known as mercury gold plating. This ancient Nepalese technique involves applying a genuine layer of gold using mercury as a bonding medium. Though more costly than electroplating, fire gold plating is valued for its authenticity, durability, and unmatched beauty. In recent years, its popularity has grown again in Nepal as collectors and devotees appreciate its heritage and lasting brilliance.
Lost-Wax Casting Method
The Medicine Buddha is crafted using the lost-wax casting method, a process with thousands of years of history. A detailed wax model is first sculpted, then coated with layers of ceramic to form a mold. Once hardened, the wax is melted out, leaving a perfect cavity. Molten metal is poured into this mold, capturing the finest details of the original design. After cooling, the ceramic mold is carefully broken away, revealing the finished copper statue.
