The statue arrived super fast and very well packed. The vibe in my apartment changed immediately into something deeply calming and soothing. As if all the tensions and anxieties have melted. Can’t believe just how majestic he looks. I was already deeply moved by the photo, but when I see the statue with my own eyes…It feels as if Manjushri is right there, with infinite compassion in his infinite wisdom. May all sentient beings be benefitted and realize their true nature.???
Guide to Buying Meditation Gifts – With Special Reference to Buddha Statues
What are Meditation Gifts?
Meditation gifts are sacred objects and artifacts which are deeply rooted in Buddhist and Hindu spiritual traditions of South Asia, specially Nepal, Tibet and India. These are not ordinary gifts. Meditation gifts carry within them centuries of spiritual wisdom, artistic mastery and divine symbolism. When you gift a meditation gift to your loved one, you are not merely giving a decorative object. You are giving them a piece of living spiritual heritage which has the power to transform their energy, calm their mind and elevate their consciousness.
People around the world today are more spiritually aware than ever before. Anxiety, depression and stress of modern urban living has driven millions of individuals towards meditation, mindfulness and Buddhist philosophy. As a result demand for genuine meditation gifts has grown tremendously in recent years. However not all meditation gifts available in the market are genuine. Many mass produced and factory made products are sold as authentic meditation gifts. It is therefore very important to know what to look for when buying meditation gifts.
In this guide we will explain the most popular meditation gifts available in our dharma store, with special focus on Buddha statues which are the most iconic and powerful of all meditation gifts.
Buddha Statues – The Most Significant of All Meditation Gifts
Golden Shakyamuni Buddha – handmade in Lalitpur, Nepal
Of all the meditation gifts available in the world, Buddha statues are without doubt the most powerful and meaningful. Buddha statues are not merely decorative objects. They represent the enlightened mind of Buddha himself. The presence of a genuine handmade Buddha statue in your home or altar creates an atmosphere of serenity, compassion and positive vibration. Many of our customers have reported that the moment a genuine Buddha statue arrives in their home, the energy of the space transforms completely.
The art of making Buddha statues originates from the Newar society of Nepal, specially from Lalitpur in the Kathmandu valley. Since ancient times the Shakya families of Lalitpur have been involved in the sacred art of making Buddha statues. This skill has been preserved and passed down from generation to generation for centuries. Completing a single statue requires the collective effort of many different artisans specializing in wax modeling, copper casting, fine hand carving, gold plating and face painting. A single statue can take from 3 months to 6 months to complete.
Our Buddha statues are primarily made of copper using the ancient method called the Lost Wax Method, known as such because the original wax model is drained out by heat from the mold and is LOST into the form of copper. Once the casting is completed the statue is carefully hand carved with intricate Newar and Tibetan designs before being gold plated or left in natural copper or antique finishing. The face is the most important part of the statue. It is carefully and lovingly hand painted to portray the infinite compassion of the Buddha. Check here to learn more about sculpting Buddha statues.
Fine hand carving of a copper Buddha statue by our Newar artisans in Lalitpur
Which Buddha Statue Should You Choose as a Meditation Gift?
There are many different forms of Buddha and Bodhisattvas, each with their own symbolic meaning and spiritual purpose. Knowing which one to choose is an important part of buying the right meditation gift. The following are the most popular and meaningful Buddha statues available in our dharma store:
Shakyamuni Buddha – the most universal meditation gift
Shakyamuni Buddha is the historical Buddha, the fully enlightened one who achieved Nirvana under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya approximately 2500 years ago. Shakyamuni Buddha is shown seated in meditation posture with his right hand touching the earth in the Bhumisparsha mudra. He represents the highest state of human consciousness and spiritual achievement. Shakyamuni Buddha statue is the most universal and widely gifted Buddha statue. It is suitable for practitioners of all Buddhist traditions from Theravada to Tibetan Buddhism. Check our Shakyamuni Buddha Statues.
Medicine Buddha also known as Sangye Menla in Tibetan is one of the most beloved Buddhas in Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhist tradition. He is deep blue in color and holds a medicine bowl in his left hand. Medicine Buddha is said to have made 12 great vows to relieve the suffering of all sentient beings from illness and pain. A Medicine Buddha statue is an exceptionally meaningful meditation gift for someone who is experiencing illness, going through difficult health challenges or working in the field of healing and medicine.
Golden Buddha statue – direct from our workshop in Lalitpur
Manjushri is the Bodhisattva of Wisdom and Knowledge. He holds a flaming sword in his right hand which represents the power of wisdom to cut through ignorance and delusion, and a lotus flower supporting the Prajnaparamita scripture in his left hand. A Manjushri statue is a deeply meaningful meditation gift for students, scholars, teachers and all those who seek wisdom and clarity of mind. Check our beautiful Manjushri Golden Statue.
Green Tara is the female Bodhisattva of Compassion and Swift Action. Tara is derived from the Sanskrit root “Tar” which means to cross over or to liberate. Green Tara is shown seated on a lotus throne with her right leg extended forward representing her readiness to immediately rise and help all suffering beings. A Green Tara statue or thangka painting is a wonderful meditation gift for those who are drawn to the divine feminine energy and the compassionate qualities of Buddhist practice.
Maitreya Buddha is the Future Buddha who is prophesied to appear in this world in the distant future to teach the Dharma once again. Maitreya is derived from the Sanskrit word “Maitri” meaning loving kindness and friendship. A Maitreya statue is a beautiful and hopeful meditation gift representing faith, optimism and the promise of enlightenment. Learn more about Maitreya Buddha here.
Jambala also known as Dzambala or Kubera is the Buddhist deity of wealth and material prosperity. He is shown as a stout figure holding a mongoose which spits jewels from his mouth. A Jambala statue is a popular meditation gift for those who wish to attract prosperity, abundance and financial security into their lives. Learn more about Jambala here.
Gold Finish vs Antique Finish Buddha Statues
Gold plated and antique copper Buddha statues – both handmade in our Lalitpur workshop
Our Buddha statues are completed in two main finishing styles and both have their own unique character and beauty.
Gold finish statues are fully or partially gold plated. In gold finish statues the face is always painted with 24 karat gold paint by skilled artisans who have dedicated their lives to the sacred art of face painting. Gold finish statues radiate warmth, luminosity and a sense of divine majesty. They are particularly suitable for formal altar settings, meditation rooms and spaces which are dedicated to Buddhist practice and prayer.
Antique finish statues are left in their natural copper state or treated with dark oxidization to give them an ancient and historical appearance. Antique finish statues have an earthy, grounded quality which many practitioners find deeply authentic and appealing. They are suitable for home decor settings, living rooms and spaces which have a natural or minimalist aesthetic. Both gold finish and antique finish statues are made using exactly the same methods and with the same level of craftsmanship. The difference is purely aesthetic.
Other Popular Meditation Gifts for Buddhist Friends and Loved Ones
Tibetan Singing Bowls
Hand-hammered seven metal Tibetan singing bowls
Tibetan Singing Bowls are among the most ancient and powerful of all meditation gifts. The history of Tibetan singing bowls goes back to the 8th century AD. They are also known as Magic Bowls and are considered a long lost forgotten art which has been revived in Nepal and Tibet. The sound vibration produced by a genuine Tibetan singing bowl is extraordinarily pure and potent. It arouses cellular memory, permeates the body with healing energy and has been known to synchronize altered brain states conducive to deep meditation.
Our Tibetan singing bowls are made from seven metals including silver, gold, copper, tin, zinc, iron and others, exactly as the ancient bowls were made. They are hand hammered and hand carved by skilled artisans in Nepal. These are not factory produced bowls. They are genuine handmade meditation gifts of the highest quality. Check our full collection of Tibetan Singing Bowls here.
Tibetan Thangka Paintings
Green Tara thangka – painted by Lama artists in Kathmandu valley
Tibetan Thangka is considered timeless art with eternal truth. It is a powerful meditation tool, a vehicle of Buddhist philosophy expressed through visual art, and one of the most precious and unique meditation gifts you can give to a Buddhist practitioner or spiritual seeker. Despite being called Tibetan thangka, most of the world’s finest thangka paintings are actually created in Nepal, by Newar and Lama artists of the Kathmandu valley. The artisans of Kathmandu valley deserve full credit for preserving and developing this ancient Buddhist art for centuries.
A thangka painting depicting Shakyamuni Buddha, Green Tara, Guru Rinpoche or the Wheel of Life is a meditation gift which will be treasured for decades. Our dedicated Lama and Newar thangka painters work with extraordinary care and devotion. We also provide matching Tibetan silk brocading for our thangka paintings. Check our collection of Tibetan Thangka Paintings.
Mala Beads – Buddhist Prayer Beads
Lapis lazuli mala beads – a classic Buddhist meditation gift
Mala beads are one of the most practical and widely used meditation gifts in Buddhist and Hindu traditions. A mala consists of 108 beads and is used by practitioners to count mantras during meditation, similar in purpose to a rosary in the Catholic tradition. Mala beads can be worn on the wrist or held in the hand during practice. Our mala beads are made from a variety of sacred materials including lapis lazuli, rudraksha seed, sandalwood and other precious stones. Each material carries its own traditional spiritual significance. Lapis lazuli is associated with truth, clarity and the energy of the Medicine Buddha. Rudraksha seeds are considered sacred to both Hindu and Buddhist traditions and are known for their powerful grounding and protective energy. Check our Mala Beads collection.
Prayer Wheels
A prayer wheel in a customer’s home – “good energy” as she described it
A Tibetan prayer wheel is a cylindrical meditation gift containing a rolled mantra inside, most commonly the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, spinning a prayer wheel is considered equivalent to reciting the mantra contained within it. This makes prayer wheels a deeply meaningful meditation gift, particularly for those who wish to accumulate merit and generate compassion for all beings. Check our Prayer Wheels here.
⚠ Important Caution When Buying Meditation Gifts and Buddha Statues
Not all products sold as meditation gifts or Buddha statues in the global marketplace are genuine. There are many factory produced and mass manufactured products which imitate the appearance of authentic Nepali and Tibetan handicrafts. It is important for buyers to be aware of the following:
Resin and plastic Buddha statues are produced in large factories and sold at cheap prices. They may look similar to genuine copper statues in photographs but they are completely different in weight, texture, detail and spiritual authenticity. Genuine copper Buddha statues have significant weight and hand carved details clearly visible to the eye.
Fake Tibetan silver jewelry is a serious problem in the global market. A scientific test conducted in 2007 revealed that the majority of fraudulent so called Tibetan sterling silver jewelry does not consist of 925 silver but other compounds including unhealthy lead which can cause serious health problems including skin cancer, neural disorders and kidney failure. Our silver jewelry is 100% authentic 925 sterling silver.
Factory produced singing bowls made from single metal or low quality alloys do not produce the same resonance and healing vibration as genuine seven metal hand hammered bowls. Always buy singing bowls from trusted manufacturers who can confirm the materials and production methods used.
We at Shakya Handicraft are manufacturers. All our products come directly from our workshop in Hakha Tole, Lalitpur. We are not resellers or middlemen. For bulk and wholesale inquiries check our Wholesale Section.
Why Meditation Gifts from Nepal are Special
Buddhist ritual items and meditation gifts from our dharma store in Lalitpur
Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha himself, who was born in Lumbini in the southern plains of Nepal approximately 2500 years ago. The Kathmandu valley has been the center of Buddhist art, culture and craftsmanship for centuries. The Newar artisans of Lalitpur in particular have specialized in the sacred arts of statue making, thangka painting, silver jewelry crafting and singing bowl manufacturing since ancient times. This knowledge and skill has been passed down from generation to generation as an unbroken living tradition.
When you buy a meditation gift from Shakya Handicraft you are not only buying a beautiful handmade object. You are supporting living artisans who are preserving an ancient sacred art tradition. You are connecting yourself and your loved ones to a lineage of spiritual craftsmanship which goes back many centuries. You are bringing genuine Himalayan spiritual energy into your home and life.
Negative emotions like pride, ego, anger, fear and ignorance create disturbance in our modern lives. The presence of genuine Buddhist meditation gifts in our living space creates positive vibrations which help dispel these negative energies. As Buddha once foretold millennia ago, “Ignorance is the root cause of man’s suffering.” Meditation gifts are powerful reminders of the Buddhist path which leads from ignorance and suffering to wisdom and liberation.
We invite you to explore our dharma store and discover the perfect meditation gift for yourself or for someone you love. May all beings be benefitted!
Margeret Madden
Beautiful bowl … quick service very plzed customer Thks ?
margeret madden
antrim, United Kingdom
Review left on Etsy by pinkdolphin2002 on Mar 29, 2016
Lunacywitch
Terrific bowl. Beautifully made with a lovely sound. Lovely bowl. Fast delivery.
Review left on Etsy by lunacywitch on Mar 6, 2020
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