SUPERB 18th.c Silver Bronze Singh Lion Opium Weight 100.g

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

SUPERB 18th.c Silver Bronze Singh Lion Opium Weight 100.g:
$100.00

RARE! 18th Century Silver Bronze Singh Lion Opium Weight 100.gThis is a really nice and rare 18th century silver bronze singh (lion) opium weight being offered at a very nice price. I picked up this piece during my most recent expedition to the Golden Triangle Region while visiting a Karen Hill Tribevillage. In Buddhist symbolismLions are the kings of the animal kingdom: they are proud and majestic. They live in the plains and grassy hills, never in the mountains and surely not in the high snow mountains. Lions are organised into clans or groups and never live alone except in the case of old lions or those who are expelled from the community. They get their food by hunting which is always done by the females and never by the males. The male\'s job is to protect the clan from enemies. However, lions do not have any natural enemy. Due to these caracteristics the lion has been considered through all ages and countries as a symbol of royaity and protection, as well as of wisdom and pride. The iconographic representation of the lion originated in Persia.

In buddhism lions are symbolic of the bodhisattvas, the \"sons of the Buddha\" or \"Buddha\'s lions\". bodhisattvas are beings who have attained a high level of spiritual development. They have generated bodhicitta and made the vow to renounce the happiness of the highest enlightenment and remain in this world working until all sentient beings are free from suffering. bodhisattvas practise the six basic paramitas: charity. Morality, patience. effort, concentration and wisdom [dana, sila, ksanti, verya, dhyana and prajna] and the four which derive from the basis ones: skillfull means, vows, power and knowledge [upaya, pranidhana, bala and jnana]. Tehre are eight great or divine bodhisattvas. In the Nispannygavaqli of Mahapandita Abhayakara Gupta three sets of sixteen bodhisattvas are mentioned.

In buddhist iconography we find the lions in their role of dharma protectors supporting the throne of the buddhas and bodhisattvas. They are also found at the entrance of the monasteries and shrines. In the northern areas of Nepal, influenced by Tibetan buddhism and art, the lions have become \"snow lions\". Actually there are no lions living in the snow mountains, but there are leopards. Snow lions area depicted in white or blue colour with turquoise or orange mane floating in the wind and very wrathful, with big eyes and open mouth. They roam freely in the high snow mountains without any fear, symbolising the wisdom, fearlessness and divine pride of those dharma practitioners who are actually able to live freely in the high snow mountain of the pure mind, without being contaminated by delusions. They are kings of the doctrine because they have achieved the power to subdue all beings with their great love, compassion and wisdom.

The lions as guardians of the temple are represented in pairs at the entrance of shrines and baha compounds.
Don\'t let this unique opportunity pass you by... Buy It Now!
Note: I have included more info about the Karen Hill Tribe below:
Age: 18th. Century
Type: Weight
Material: Silver & Bronze
Dimensions: Can be seen in photos above
Weight: Approx: 100 grams
DON\'T BLOW THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY... BUY IT NOW!
Thanks for your time and consideration... Dobuydon.

SHIPPING (PLEASE READ)

I will ship your item via International Registered Air Mail as soon as payment is received. Registered Mail is the most reliable and secure method of shipping and guarantees that your item will arrive. I have never lost any registered mail shipments. Normal shipping time to most locations is 10-14 business days. Sometimes it can take longer… please be patient.Once your shipment arrives, asignature will be required. If no one is available to sign for the shipment the post office should leave a notice and you may have to go pick up your item.

Expedited shipping via International Express Mail Service (EMS) is available for an extra charge. Normal shipping time to most locations via EMS is 5 working days. Please email me for a price quote if you desire express shipping.

Please remember to check customs regulations before importing items that may be restricted in your country.

PROBLEMS–If you have any problems I ask that you please email me so that we can resolve any issues between ourselves.

ONCE YOU RECEIVE YOUR SHIPMENT-I ask that you please email and let me know that you have received the shipment as soon as possible. If you are happy with the item and with the service that I have provided, I ask that you please leave POSITIVE response. I strive to provide 5 STAR products and services...Thanks again for your support…. Dobuydon.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KAREN PEOPLE

For centuries much of the population of northern Thailand has been composed of ethnic groups commonly known as \'hilltribes\'. The largest of these is the Karen group numbering around 400,000 in Thailand.

The two main Karen groups in Thailand are the Sgaw and Pwo Karen. The Karen Hilltribes Trust works with the largest, the Sgaw Karen, who live in the Khun Yuam and Mae La Noi districts of the Mae Hong Son Province.

Their history in northern Thailand can be traced back to the twelfth century. It is thought that Karen originally came from Tibet, through China, and eventually to Thailand.

In Thailand they mostly live in the more remote mountainous areas due west of Chiang Mai. They are subsistence farmers who live at peace with nature and the forests. The Karen settled in what is termed the \'middle level\' in the mountains, namely between 800 and 1,800 meters.

They were semi-nomadic people using swidden (slash and burn) farming methods, moving around on a seven year cycle. However, around 1968 the Government insisted that they must stop moving around. They were offered Thai ID and land rights if they could prove longevity. Now they are settled but their lifestyle is still influenced by their culture