Nepal – The Birthplace of Buddha

*I met the same sadhus who I met with my mother 16 years ago when I first visited Nepal at Pashupatinath Temple*

It has been 16 years since I first visited Nepal. Lotus Sculpture has never imported any statues from Nepal so this past week was like a buying trip 20 years ago, exploring Kathmandu valley and searching for new artisans with exceptional statues.
Happily, we found them!

Please click here to follow my journey throughout Asia on our Instagram page. I recently traveled through North and South India and Nepal.

*Here is Mr. Shakya holding a gold-plated* statue of Indra in a loving embrace with Shakti. I loved this man! he had a youthful charm to him that was infectious.

The moment that I laid my eyes on this stunning Nataraj statue I knew I would have to bring Him home with me. I have never before seen a dancing Shiva in this style. It is a perfect statue in casting, form, and painting.

From the moment I met Siddartha I knew I had met a lifelong friend. He has a calm grace and inner peace that emanates from him. And he has some amazing statues like this amazing Vajrasatva (coming to Lotus Sculpture soon)!

Going from shop to shop finding some hidden treasures like this copper double dorje brings out the inner Indiana Jones in me.

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Batsa is a young 29-year-old artist shown creating a wax mold of Vajrayogini. He uses yak bone to shape it. The saliva keeps them from sticking together which differs from how stipathis (wax modelers) of South India create their wax molds. He spends all day drawing and creating wax molds. I loved him. He is a dedicated, true artist!

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I knew I was going to find amazing statues, but when I saw some amazing prayer wheels I had to learn where and how they are made. The mantra “Om Mani Padme Om” is pounded into copper sheets and then made into a prayer wheel and filled with prayers. I know you will be as excited about them as I am!

Mahesh is a Master craftsman! All of his statues are made at another level of artistry. I can not wait to show them to you!

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We are going to have a big selection of masterpieces coming from Nepal! As big a selection as Indra’s arms are wide.

Vajrasatva is jeweled with rubies, red coral, and emeralds. Stunning carving!

“Being in Nepal was like experiencing my first buying trip as a young man 22 years ago. With every step I took on the streets of Kathmandu, I was in search of something new for Lotus Sculpture, a new artisan or a new art form. Every day was exhilarating!”

~Kyle Tortora, Founder, Lotus Sculpture

*One sees colorful Prayer flags fluttering everywhere*

*Refreshing the temple outdoor deities with a coat of paint.*

Here are the ghats or steps where bodies are cremated at the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was a very heavy difficult day for me. There were children begging, old sadhus laying on the ground in awful health conditions that aren’t appropriate to share, and then seeing bodies burning on funeral pyres really affected me. The Buddha said that “all life is suffering.” It was easy to understand why he uttered those words so long ago. It was also very easy to see the impermanence of all life in those moments as both life and death were on display in front of me.

A beautiful Manjushree statue sits with a sword raised beneath a blue sky filled with prayer flags.
What a sight!

Greetings From India!

*Balan and I in front of the Meditating Shiva on the Ganga in Rishikesh*

On my first night in Delhi, I was not able to sleep. I lay in bed thinking “Why am I 8,000 miles away from home, away from my wife and 2 daughters. Why am I doing this?”

I quickly remembered all of the reasons I am here, and I would like to share my experiences with you.

Please click here to follow my journey throughout Asia on our Instagram page. I will be traveling in North and South India, Nepal, Cambodia, and Vietnam. I will be sending videos daily of my travels.

Brass Artisans of Aligarh

I have never before visited where our brass statues are made in Aligarh. The experience was eye-opening and amazing! The saying, “it takes a village” truly applies to making one statue. Each statue passes through 6 separate stages with a different person responsible for each stage. It was fantastic to finally meet the artists who have been making these beautiful statues for Lotus Sculpture!

*Young apprentices in Aligarh practicing their carving skills on smaller brass statues.*

Watching the artists cast these pieces was incredible. Packing each mold in sand leaving an exact duplicate of the statue inside the mold, then pouring molten brass into the cavity. It truly made me appreciate how much work goes into each piece.

Jaipur!

Text block about Jaipur.

*Sanjay applies gold leaf to a statue that his brother carved. Sanjay has been painting statues for 35 years.*

“The freedom and sense of discovery I feel while walking the streets of India is like no other ”

~Kyle Tortora, Founder, Lotus Sculpture

Rishikesh!

My friend, Raj, standing on one of the 84 mediation caves of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram. It was made famous by the Beatles and one of our clients, Mike Love of the Beach Boys who learned transcendental meditation under the guru. It was amazing to walk around the abandoned ashram and go back in time to envision what life was like there in the 60s and 70s.

I found a new Mala supplier! Stunning seven chakra malas made from precious and semi-precious stones.

Fundraising Success and What That Means For The Future…

Thank you once again to everyone who participated in our COVID Relief fundraiser and thank you to KPBS and The Coast News for taking the time to share our story.

There’s more where that came from…

Over the course of just two weeks, we were able to raise nearly $60,000 and feed 4,180 families in some of the hardest-hit communities in South India. The success of this project has greatly inspired me. I am now in the process of brainstorming more ways we can help the many struggling families in India. Keep an eye on our Community Service page where I will be sharing my ideas and the progress of our future efforts.

Thank you kindly,
Kyle Tortora, Founder, Lotus Sculpture

Last week, our local news station, KPBS San Diego highlighted our South India COVID Relief efforts

Read the full story on KPBS.org HERE>>>

Faces of Donations

These are the people which your donations have helped feed through this trying time.

Thank you.

UPDATE – Feeding the hungry in South India

On Friday, June 4th we have wired an additional $21,416 to India bringing our total donation up to $42,513.

“I have seen many of the people we give rice to immediately start to boil water to cook the rice. They are that hungry.”
~Balan

We have distributed 25,000 25kg bags of rice so far to only the neediest people in rural villages. Next week we are looking to distribute another 25,000 bags of rice.

The lockdown in India is crippling the poorest of the poor leaving many of them hungry. Here is your chance to directly impact the life of someone who needs your help.

Please click here to make a donation now >>>

Here are some images of the relief you have helped to bring to those most in need.

Families in need are depending on us! Please help us spread the word so that we are able to continue our outreach in South India.

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