"Buddha Amitabha" is a carved Czohralski ruby that weighs approx. 41.36 ct. This carving took several months to complete due to the extreme hardness of the ruby. It started out as a 110 ct crystal measuring approx 25 x 15 x 12 mm. It was commissioned as a gift to one of the greatest Tibetan teachers of our time, Sogyal Rinpoche. It was presented to him in August 2006, in the opening ceremony of the new Buddhist temple at Lerab Ling retreat center near Lodeve, France and has been placed on his very sacred shrine. It is the First Place winner of the 2007 Gemmy's international competition in the category of lab grown gems. This is a copyrighted original carving.
About the symbols in this carving:
These are some of the things I learned about Tibetan Symbolism and my thoughts and ideas that I incorporated in the carving. First, the carving is executed in ruby. Red is the color of this Buddha. The finest lab grown Czohralski crystal was used due to the impossibility of ever finding a mined crystal large enough -- even for this small sized carving. Even with an unlimited budget there is no natural crystal of this quality in existence that I know of. The purity of this stone is another factor I considered most important. It is without internal flaws. Amitabha means infinite or boundless light. The diamond tipped crown represents the light that fills the universe and is a symbol of the highest reality. I used it to present the viewer with actual white light instead of carving the traditional lamp symbol. The crown is carved in an abstract peacock feather design. It is symbolic of the forgiveness of all sins and is a sign of good luck. The peacock is Amitabha's animal.
He is seated on a throne in the diamond position and he is holding a begging bowl that is filled with nectar. It symbolizes a release from craving and desire. He is the leader of the lotus family and wears a pendant design based on a lotus seed pod that represents a path from ignorance to knowledge and contains all of the secrets from a beginning to an end. His earrings are carved in an abstract golden fish motif. They symbolize a spirit liberated from the ocean of misery in an earthly existence.
At the top back of the throne are three spheres representing the three jewels of Buddhism: Buddha himself, his teachings and the community of monks. The spheres represent the inexpressible, unimaginable reality that lies beyond all thought. On the back of the throne is an intaglio wreath of fire that burns away all ignorance and it's light drives away the darkness for the one who meditates. One of the secrets of this carving is that when help up to the light, the purity of the crystal allows the image of Buddha to be seen through the fire intaglio that symbolizes the sight of the pathway to spiritual wisdom. Amitabha's symbol is fire. The sides of the throne are carved with a rope design. the rope captures the spirit of the meditator and helps him to focus and concentrate on his meditation. It keeps his thoughts from wondering.
