She is seated in lalitasana on a lotus in a lake. Her right leg is pendant on a smaller lotus and the left is folded into her lap. The right hand is in the varada-mudra of presenting a boon with a lotus flower and the left is in the attitude of protection with a lotus flower. She has a young face and her body is slim and slender. Her hair is partly upswept in knots with decorations and partly falls on her shoulder. Her eyes are open and there is a small circle between the eyebrows. Her petal shaped lips are painted red. Her neck has three folds and her earlobes are elongated. She is adorned with exquisitely designed ornaments: earrings, necklace with pendants, armlets, bracelets, anklets, and waistband. She wears a top as upper garment, flowing scarf and dhoti. There is a mandorla and halo behind her body and head, respectively. The former is encircled with flowers and leaves. Amitabha Buddha sits on a lotus seat in the clouds, above her head. The foreground is filled with high peaks, waterfalls, lakes, rocks and natural vegetation.
The term 'Tara' refers to the intuitive vision or darshana, that is, human beings may know the nature of the ultimate Truth or Reality through darshana which may be granted by the grace of Mother Tara. The term 'Tara' also refers to 'pilotship' of the ferryboat of life. Mother Tara ferries across all her devoted children through the stormy oceans of mundane existence. Moreover the name Tara is a most powerful mystical name. It is believed that if human beings utter the name of Tara audibly or inaudibly with sincerity of purpose they may obtain mystical insight and spontaneously acquire the ability for visualizing all mundane problems in their right perspective.
The cult of Tara was introduced into Tibet in the 7th century A.D., and it was greatly propagated in the 11th century A.D. by the Buddhist Acharya Dipankara Atisa who dedicated a hymn to her.
This painting is suitable for both sadhana and museum collection.
This description by Dr. Shailendra Kumar Verma, Ph.D. His doctorate thesis being on the "Emergence and Evolution of the Buddha Image (From its inception to 8th century A.D)."
Click Here to View the Thangka Painting along with its Brocade
For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist