This beautiful 8.5″ Amitabha statue sits in full lotus pose atop a single lotus pedestal, dressed in a finely engraved shoulder wrap, hemlines, and dhoti — featuring hand carved foliate engravings throughout. The lotus flower is a deeply significant symbol in Buddhism because it rises from a murky pond to blossom in pure air and sunlight — a metaphor for devotees using diligent practice to rise above the sea of samsara toward supreme enlightenment. For this reason, the lotus serves as a perfect symbol of impeccable virtue, and Amitabha’s throne here is finished with fine hand-carved detail radiating out from each petal.
The Dhyana Mudra, also known as the meditation gesture, is depicted here with the right hand resting on top of the left in the lap, both palms facing upward, cradling a small gilded alms bowl. Buddhist practitioners use this mudra because it is believed to enhance concentration during meditation. His face carries the traditional hand-painted detail found on our finest statues — a spiral urna between the brows representing radiant wisdom, softly outlined eyes, and lips finished in red — set beneath dark hair rising to a pointed ushnisha topped with a small gold finial. The engraving continues fully in the round: viewed from behind, the same dense scrolling foliage covers every surface of the robe, the shoulder cape is finished with a decorative back panel, and the pedestal engraving runs unbroken around the base.
Beautiful Amitabha Statue — Pure Land Buddha
All devotees are welcome in Amitabha’s Pure Land, Sukhavati. Devotees simply need to say his name ten times or recite the Amitabha mantra with sincere faith. Sukhavati is the most widely sought after of all the Buddhist pure lands, described in scripture as a realm of sonorous and visual delights. To learn more about the symbolism behind this piece, see our guide to Amitabha Buddha Statue Meaning & Symbolism, or common questions about Amitabha in our Amitabha Buddha Statues FAQ.
Shakya Artisans and the Lost Wax Method
This statue was cast by master craftsmen of the Shakya caste of Newar artisans in Patan, Nepal — the same lineage that has supplied Tibetan monasteries with their most important sculpture for over a thousand years. Every piece begins as a hand-sculpted beeswax model, encased in clay, then fired so the wax melts away and molten copper alloy is poured into the resulting mould. The clay is broken, the metal figure is cold-worked by hand — chased, engraved with the dense foliate scrollwork visible across every surface of the robe — before the surface is fire gilded with pure 24K gold. The face itself is the one exception: rather than fire gilded, it is hand painted with a mix of 18K gold and natural pigments, since fire gilding cannot render the subtle life of a face — read more in our buyer’s guide to the gold face painting technique. Because each wax model is destroyed in the casting, no two statues from the workshop are ever identical.
Custom Orders
If you would prefer this Amitabha in a different size, or in an oxidized copper, partly gilded, or silver plated finish, we can commission it directly with the artisan on your behalf. Explore our custom Tibetan Buddhist statues page for the full commissioning process and to see recent custom pieces we have delivered.
Authentic, Handmade in Nepal
Every statue and ritual item is handcrafted in Patan, Nepal, using traditional lost wax casting and comes with a certificate of authenticity issued by Nepal's Department of Archaeology, verifying its materials, technique, and origin.
