Hand Made Gold Gilded Copper Alloy and Hand Painted Face 11" The 6th Karmapa - Tulku Thongwa Dönden Statue

The 6^th Gyalwa Karmapa – Tulku Thongwa Dönden Statue

 The Sixth Gyalwa Karmapa – Tulku Thongwa Dönden {1416 – 1453}

The Sixth Gyalwa Karmapa, Tulku Thongwa Dönden, was born to a family of devoted yogis in Gomtö Shakyam in East Tibet. His father’s name was Samdrub Dorje, and his mother’s name was Pematso. One day, at the age of one month and while in his mother’s arms, Thongwa Dönden became very excited when they met Nompa Chadral, who was a disciple of Deshin Shegpa, the Fifth Gyalwa Karmapa. Nompa Chadral asked the newly born his name. Thongwa Dönden smiled and replied, "I'm the Karmapa." Nompa Chadral cared for the infant for seven months and then took him to Karma Gon Monastery. When he was 3 years old, Jetsün Ratnabhadra, his spiritual heir during his former life, imparted the entire Kagyü Oral Instruction Lineage of the Karmapas to him. He received ordination from Khenchen Sönam Zangpo at Ökar Tashi Monastery and was enthroned with the Vajra Black Crown as the Sixth Gyalwa Karmapa at Karma Gon Monastery by Chöpäl Yeshe.

About this Sculpture

This exquisite sculpture is a beautiful depiction of the 6th Gyalwa Karmapa – Tulku Thongwa Dönden, 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.