Statues & Figures

A Tibetan statue is not a decorative object. It is an embodiment. To place a statue on the altar is to invite a quality of the enlightened mind into your home, not merely a bronze figure.

The historical Buddha Shakyamuni is usually shown in the earth-touching gesture, witness to his own awakening. Tara, the mother of all Buddhas, embodies compassion in female form. Her green form stands for active help, her white form for long life and inner peace. The Medicine Buddha, recognisable by his deep blue form and the medicinal plant in his hand, embodies healing energy and is called upon in prayer for health and wellbeing. Alongside them are Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom, Chenrezig, the protective deity of Tibet, and many further figures, each with its own meaning and function in practice.

Handmade statues from Tibet and Nepal are made by lost-wax casting, a process centuries old. A wax model is formed, cast in a clay mould and then cast in bronze or brass. Each statue is then finished by hand, polished and often gilded. The quality shows in the fineness of the facial features, the precision of the mudras and the care taken over the surface.

Choosing the right statue often follows your own practice or a personal connection to a particular deity. A small statue suits a personal altar or desk; a larger one creates a centre in a living or meditation space.

At tibet-markets.ch we choose every statue personally, for iconographic correctness, quality of finishing and the presence of the piece. We are glad to advise you if you are looking for a particular deity.