39.5" x 29.5" White Tara Thangka Painting

White Tara represents the enlightened and liberating activity of all the Buddhas. She embodies the motherly aspect of universal compassion. Her compassion for living beings and her desire to save them from suffering is said to be even stronger than a mother's love for her children. White Tara, the Mother of All Buddhas, is known for her swiftness in responding to the prayers of those who invoke her name. White Tara meditation practice is said to grant health, long life, fearlessness, patience, and peace. Sadhanas of White Tara are often performed to prolong life and heal illness. It is said that because Arya Tara is the collective manifestation of the enlightened activity of all Buddhas, her sadhana is easily accomplished.

Her right hand is open towards us in the gesture of supreme generosity, signifying her ability to fulfill our spiritual and material needs. Her left hand is in the gesture (mudra) of bestowing blessing, refuge, and protection. She has seven eyes - one in each hand and foot, and a third eye in her face - to show that she sees and responds to suffering throughout the universe; and she sits in the full lotus, or vajra, posture. Her left hand holds the stem of a blossoming white lotus signifying her spiritual perfection and complete purity of body, speech and mind.

Gestures and Attributes

White Tara is depicted in a posture of graceful contemplative ease with both legs raised and crossed, displaying a regal elegance and serenity. Her right hand is extended downward, palm open, with thumb and index finger touching. This hand position is known as Varada Mudra, or the gesture of granting wishes and protection. Her left hand, raised to shoulder height with fingers extended and palm turned outward, is in the gesture of granting refuge and freeing from fears (Abhaya Mudra). Each of her hands also holds the stem of a beautiful lotus flower that floats above her shoulder as a symbol of her radiant purity and power. A distinctive characteristic of White Tara, shown in this representation, is her seven eyes. She has the two usual eyes plus one in the center of her forehead and one in each of her hands and feet. These eyes indicate that she sees all the suffering and cries for help in the universe, and symbolize her divine omniscience.