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Antique
Tibetan Bronze Buddha
Padma Sambhava
With Skull
Bowl and Thunderboldt
Tibet,
circa: 19th-early 20th century
H
8.75 in.(22cm.), W 6in.(15cm.), D 4.5 in.(11.5cm.)
Condition: Excellent Private Collection |  |
Born
from a lotus in the land of Odiyana, Padma Sambhava was the adopted son of a king,
who left worldly society to become a Buddha, an attainment which he quickly accomplished,
then left the monkhood to live the life of an adept. Wandering in India, meditating
in graveyards and in the wilderness, he achieved the power of longevity. A thousand
years later, he was invited to Tibet where he tamed many demons and converted
a country of barbaric tribes into a civilized society honoring Buddhist values.
Padma Sambhava is venerated in the Nyingma-pa School to this day as a saint second
only to the Buddha. |  |
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In
this superb bronze Padmasambhava carries the vajra sceptre in his right hand;
in his left he holds the skull bowl (symbolizing his realization of absolute voidness)
in which there is placed a vase of elixir of immortality, symbolizing his manifestation
of Infinite Light. He is seated on a lotus throne wearing a form of adept’s hat
unique to him, immense jewel-ornamented earrings and a jeweled pendant. The Tibetan
shoes and the patterns of the robes are finely chased with foliate and cloud motifs;
the elegant tapered fingers show rounded fingernails. The long hair falls simply
down the back, while on either shoulder lie two braided locks. Quilted robes of
richly patterned and pieced fabrics swirl around his solid body with natural ease.
His round eyes are intently fixed, the lips firmly set; the whole expression is
kindly but serious, with curled furrows where the brows come together. A sumptuous
casting, bearing an even patina of deep umber. |
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