White Tara

White Tara (Sitatārā) is a Bodhisattva of compassion and action, associated with practices designed to lengthen one’s lifespan and to overcome life-threatening challenges. She is worshiped by practitioners of Vajrayana Buddhism to develop the qualities of compassion (karuṇā), loving-kindness (mettā) and emptiness (shunyata).

White Tara is depicted sat cross-legged in a meditative position atop of a blue lotus (Utpala) moon seat. She is notable for her 7 eyes, with a third eye in her forehead and the other four on the palms of her hands, and the upward facing soles of her feet. These eyes symbolise her compassionate vigilance, clear-sighted wisdom,  and heartfelt compassion. Her left hand is poised in the protective mudra, and her right in the wish-granting mudra. In her left hand she holds the stem of a Utpala lotus flower.

White Tara Thangka | TheThangka.com
White Tara Thangka | TheThangka.com

White Tara also goes by the name of Ārya Tārā, Shayama Tara and Jetsun Dölma (Tibetan), Tara Bosatsu (Japanese) and occasionally Duōluó Púsà  (Chinese). Her name literally means “star”/“planet” and she is associated with navigation, both literally, and metaphorically. In Tibetan her name means “she who saves” and she is often referred to as a “mother”.

The earliest identifiable image of Tara is found within the Buddhist monastic complex of the Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, India, dating to the 7th Century CE. The Tara mantra used by Buddhists and Hindus alike is: “oṃ tāre tuttāre ture svāhā” which translates to “Oṃ O Tārā, I pray O Tārā, O Swift One, So Be It!”.

Standing White Tara Thangka | TheTangka.com
Standing White Tara Thangka | TheTangka.com

See White Tara in Figures

Share:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp
Share on email
Email

Related Posts

Manjushri
Dharma

Bodhisattva Manjushri

Manjushri, meaning ‘beautiful glory’, is a meditational deity of Vajrayana/Tibetan Buddhism, considered a fully enlightened buddha. He is typically classified as a wisdom deity, associated with insight, who promotes development of wisdom, knowledge, language, and memory skills.

Read More »
Dharma

Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhi – Meaning and Benefits of the Manjushri Mantra

Manjushri in Buddhism is the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Manjushri’s name means ‘gentle glory’ or ‘sweet glory’ in Sanskrit. He is recognized as the ‘gentle-toned or sweet-voiced one’ and the ‘Lord of Speech, thus also known as Manjughosha and Vagishvara, respectively. His mantra comprised of the syllables Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhi.

Read More »
Guru Rinpoche
Dharma

Guru Rinpoche

Guru Rinpoche (the Precious Guru), also known as Guru Padmasambhava (Lotus born), is a seminal figure in Buddhism, instrumental in the establishment of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th Century CE. Praying to Guru Rinpoche is believed to help in the development of inner power, and the removal of bad karma and suffering.

Read More »
Vajrasattva
Dharma

Vajrasattva

Vajrasattva, is the main deity employed for purification by practitioners of all levels of tantra. Vajrasattva also goes by Dorje Sempa རྡོ་རྗེ་སེམས་དཔའ་, meaning “diamond being”. Vajrasattva meditation is the primary cleansing practice recommended by Vajrayana Buddhism. It is also used to purify any broken vows made by a disciple to their tantric master. Going beyond personal practice, the Vajrasattva mantra is believed to purify karma, bring peace, and instigate enlightened activity on a wider scale.

Read More »
green tara
Dharma

Green Tara

Green Tara is regarded as the mother of all Bodhisattvas, a lover of all sentient beings. She is associated with enlightened activity, helping people pass beyond earthly existence. Green Tara grants refuge from all things which may obstruct, or cause trouble. She also embodies many qualities of the ‘feminine’, known as the mother of mercy and compassion, giving relief from bad karma.

Read More »
Chenrenzig
Dharma

Bodhisattva Chenrezig / Avalokitesvara

Chenrezig is a form of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, also known as 4 armed 6 Syllable Avalokitesvara, he embody the compassion of all Buddhas. Chenrezig is the white Buddha form which represents the enlightened mind’s loving kindness and compassion. His name literally means “One who looks with unwavering eye”.

Read More »

Visit TheThangka.com

Buddhist Thangkas from Boudhanath, Nepal