White Tara (Buddhist Deity)
Biography
Reminiscent of Green Tara, White Tara is another goddess of compassion. She distinctively signifies transcendental knowledge and ideal purity. She is a motherly deity for protection and bestows longevity. She is white in color and is dressed as a Bodhisattva. White Tara can be represented in a group of three long-life deities, along with Amitabha Buddha and Ushnishavijaya. Practitioners meditate on her for strength, health, peace, prosperity, and endurance. The wives of Tibetan King Songsten Gampo are traced as the two distinctive emanations of Tara: the Nepalese princess, Amsuvarman, as Green Tara and the Chinese princess,Wencheng, as White Tara. White Tara is also known to be the companion of Avalokiteśvara and, at times,Vairochana. White Tara is seated in the padmasana pose and is adorned with jewels. She molds the Varada mudra by way of her right hand and holds a lotus with three blossoms in her left. The three blossoms of the lotus flower represent the past, present and future Buddhas, allying White Tara with the spirit of the Buddha. White Tara has seven eyes, one on each palm and foot, and three on her face including one in the forehead. Her many eyes symbolize omniscient vision.
Found in 9 Collections and/or Records:
White Tara 2
Depiction of White Tara, realized in the Thangka style of painting. This is a detailed view of the White Tara, showing the entire applique but not the surrounding fabric. The White Tara is depicted with three eyes, as well as eyes centered in her feet and hands.
White Tara 3
Depiction of White Tara, realized in the Thangka style of painting. This is a complete view of the White Tara, depicting her at the center with a deep red background. Below the White Tara are two deities.
White Tara 4
Depiction of White Tara, realized in the Thangka style of painting. This is a complete view of the White Tara, painted gold and sitting on a dais. There is an eye in the center of her hands and feet. The White Tara holds a blue flower in her hand.
White Tara 5
Depiction of White Tara, realized in the Thangka style of painting. This is a complete view of the White Tara, painted white with a deep red background and sitting on a dais. There is an eye in the center of her hands and feet. The White Tara holds a flower in her hand.
White Tara 6
Depiction of White Tara, realized in the Thangka style of painting. This is a complete view of the White Tara, painted white with a black backgound and sitting on a dais. There is an eye in the center of her hands and feet. The White Tara holds a blue flower in her hand.
White Tara 7
Depiction of White Tara, realized in the Thangka style of painting. This is a complete view of the White Tara, depicted sitting on a dais. There is an eye in the center of her hands and feet. The White Tara holds a flower in her hand. The work is incomplete with outlines drawn but without much color.
White Tara 8
Depiction of White Tara, realized in the Thangka style of painting. This is a complete view of the White Tara, depicted sitting on a dais. There is an eye in the center of her hands and feet. The White Tara holds a pink flower in her hand.
White Tara 9
Depiction of White Tara, realized in the Thangka style of painting. This is a complete view of the White Tara, depicted sitting on a dais. There is an eye in the center of her hands and feet. The White Tara holds a blue flower in her hand. Behind her are streams and hills and the image is surrounded by a red border.
White Tara 10
Depiction of White Tara, realized in the Thangka style of painting. This is a complete view of the White Tara, depicted sitting on a dais. At her feet are two other deities. There is an eye in the center of her hands and feet. The White Tara holds a blue flower in her hand.