Hand Made Gold Gilded Copper Alloy and Hand Painted Face 10.75" The 1st Karmapa - Düsum Khyenpa Statue

The 1^st Gyalwa Karmapa – Düsum Khyenpa Statue

 The First Gyalwa Karmapa – Düsum Khyenpa {1110 –1193}

The First Gyalwa Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa, was born at Treschöd, East Tibet. His father’s name was Dorje Gonpo and his mother’s name was Gangcham Mingdren. His parents gave him the name Gephel (dge-‘phel meaning “promoting goodness”). As a young boy, Gephel studied with his father and when he became older engaged in more studies and meditation practices with other Buddhist scholars of the region. He moved to Central Tibet when he was 20 and became a monk. A few of his teachers were Chapa Chökyi Sengge and Patsab Lotsawa Nyima Dragpa (the great Madhyamaka philosopher, translator, and founder of the debate system in Tibet), furthermore Yönten Drag, Sherab Dorje, Mal Dulzin, Sönam Rinchen, and Changchub Drag are also listed as his teachers. At that time, Düsum Khyenpa became known by the name Päl Chökyi Dragpa (dpäl-chös-kyi-grags-pa meaning “the illustrious friend of the Dharma”). When he was 30 years old, he went to Daglha Gampo Monastery in Kham, East Tibet, and took up his studies and practice under his Root Guru Gampopa.

About this Sculpture

This exquisite sculpture is a beautiful depiction of the 1st Gyalwa Karmapa – Düsum Khyenpa, expertly cast from copper alloy using the revered lost wax method and adorned with the opulence of 24-karat gold gilding.

The Karmapa's features have been meticulously hand-painted, imbuing the piece with a sense of lifelike presence and spiritual radiance. Each element of the sculpture, from the intricate details of his ornate robes to the delicate folds of his monastic attire, has been crafted with the utmost care and devotion by the master artisans of the Shakya clan in Patan, Nepal.

These craftsmen are considered among the best in the world and are the modern heirs to a centuries-old tradition of creating sacred art for use in temples and monasteries. The fine metalworking techniques employed in the creation of this piece have been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times, ensuring that it is a true masterpiece that embodies both artistic excellence and profound spiritual significance.

The 24-karat gold gilding lends an air of sacred majesty to the sculpture, evoking the enlightened presence of the revered Karmapa. This exquisite work of art stands as a testament to the enduring skill, artistry, and spiritual legacy of the Shakya clan, whose masterpieces continue to inspire and guide practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.