Crafting of bronze statue

Author : Peter Vredeveld

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Buddhism is one of the most influential religions in the world. The number of people following and worshipping Buddhism is over half a billion, primarily centralized in Eastern Asian countries like Nepal, India, China, Japan, Burma, Indonesia, Korea, etc. In Buddhist mythology, Buddha statues represent Lord Buddha and symbolize one's inner feelings. Different Buddhist traditions of various countries like Burma, Japan, Korea, Nepal, and India, as well as their style and culture of Buddha statues, are also discussed, and how they are created from scratch. Burma is one of the countries with the highest number of Buddha statues created. Nepal has its style and culture regarding the creation of Buddha statues. Buddhism in China has its style, and Buddhism in Tibet has its way of worshiping Buddha statues.

Buddha statues from Nepal

Different Buddha statues have their own meanings and definitions. Nepal is known as the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and Lumbini is visited by thousands of Buddhist monks and followers since it is one of the four most holy Buddhist Pilgrimage sites. However, the Buddha statues found in Nepal are mainly crafted and made in Patan. That's why Patan can be considered the Powerhouse when it comes to the construction of Buddha statues.

The tradition of making Buddha statues dates back centuries and this centuries-old tradition continues.

"Bhrikuti brought many sacred Buddha statues that Nepalese Craftsmen made….."

This quote suggests that the tradition of making Buddha statues dates back even before Bhrikuti. When people are concerned about the Buddha statues crafted in Nepal, they remember that they are being crafted in Patan. And if talking about Buddha statues specifically, Newar people are experts in making such sacred statues.

This centuries-old tradition and culture have been passed on to the present generation in Nepal, and the proud Nepalese craftsmen haven't forgotten it. One of the Nepalese craftsmen in Patan, Rakesh Manandhar, said about this century-old tradition, "We haven't forgotten our culture and still follow this tradition to make sacred and beautiful Buddha statues…."

There are several places where these Buddha statues are made, following the path passed on by previous generations. There is quite a high demand for these Buddha statues both nationally and internationally.

Casting of bronze Buddha Statues

The making of bronze Buddha statues is quite difficult if you follow old traditions. But that's what makes the Buddha statue more beautiful. There are many processes that need constant care and precision. If we talk about a single Buddha statue, it needs the hands of many expert craftsmen.

First, an expert craftsman creates a beautiful sculpture in wax to complete the figure. The artist can create all designs of Buddha sculpture and other holy figures like Manjushree, Avalokitesvara, and other Hindu deities as needed. These designs are carved with great precision, and we can easily differentiate the carving or design made by an expert from that of a normal craftsman.

A mold is made from the original sculpture. The mold is usually ceramic raw materials. After the molding process is complete, it is heated to a high temperature to remove the wax inside. The mold is then left to dry in the sunlight for more than 15 days, depending on the temperature.

That is when the casting process starts. In Patan, the casting of bronze is one of the finest in Nepal. Depending upon the statue's material, such as bronze or copper, it is melted at high temperatures. The molten material is poured into the hollow, which is repeated until the required thickness is achieved. This process is done for each different part of the Buddha statue.

The burned mold will be removed using the hammer after the material is solidified, and this is the first moment we will have an impression of the actual bronze Buddha statue. The casting is worked until the remaining leftover mold is removed from the goods. When casting all the parts is completed, the artisans and wielder will wield all the parts to produce the original sculpture. When the casting of the Buddha is finished, the artisans start to give different features to the statue to give it its specific look. Many Buddha statues are gilded to provide a nice golden look. Several artisans are working on other features of statues, such as Buddha mudras and poses, and the symbols of Buddha are separately in statues.

The Buddha statues made by Newar craftsmen in Patan have a magnificent and unique appearance because each part has been carved and crafted with exact precision. Following this century-old tradition has made Nepal rich in arts and national cultures.