White Tara (Silver)

18" x 24" ◊ Ground mineral pigment and silver on cotton cloth

Tara, a female Buddha and meditational deity, is considered to be the goddess of universal compassion and the manifestation of all the actions of all Buddhas. Her name is derived from the Sanskrit root word tar (to cross over), meaning one who helps sentient beings to cross over the ocean of existence (samsara) from the impure state to one of perfect, pure enlightenment.

According to the tantra, Tara was born eons ago, in an invisible universe. She was a very spiritual and compassionate woman who gave offerings and prayers to the Buddhas (enlightened beings), bodhisattvas (beings on the path to enlightenment), and ordained monks and nuns, every day for a thousand billion years. She developed great merit, and the monks told her that because of her spiritual attainments they would pray that she be reborn as a man and spread Buddhist teachings. She responded that there was no male and no female, and that nothing existed in reality, but that she wished to remain in female form to serve others until every being reached enlightenment. In art, Tara is usually depicted seated on a lotus, ready to descend to aid suffering beings.

There are twenty-one forms of Tara. The one depicted here is White Tara. White Tara is the special goddess of long life. She helps the practitioner overcome obstacles, particularly impediments to the practice of religion. She has the power to grant wishes, and to protect from danger and distress. White Tara is the goddess of mercy and good fortune. With her seven eyes she can better detect the suffering in the world. White Tara's right hand is in the "varada" (gift bestowing) position. She sits on a lotus in the "vajra" (meditation) pose.