Late 20th Century Tibetan Copper Green Tara Statue

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Introduced into Tibetan Buddhism in the seventh century, Tara is now the most popular deity in Tibet. She is a … Read more Introduced into Tibetan Buddhism in the seventh century, Tara is now the most popular deity in Tibet. She is a female bodhisattva (a "wisdom being" or enlightened one") and a meditation deity, believed to have been born from the compassionate tear of Avalokitesavara (from the Sanskrit, literally: "Lord who looks down", a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas.) She vowed to remain in female form until all beings were liberated. There are twenty-one forms of Tara, each one associated with a different color and specific qualities. Of all the Taras, the two most important are White Tara and Green Tara. Green Tara is the most dynamic emanation of Tara. She is known to be moderately combative and often called upon to overcome obstacles.Green Tara ( Khadiravani ) is also called the "Mother of All Buddhas", and is appealed to for help in protecting against fear and the Eight Great Dangers: lions ( pride), wild elephants ( delusion/ignorance), fires ( hatred and anger), snakes ( jealousy), bandits and thieves ( wrong views, including fanatical views), bondage (avarice and miserliness), floods ( desire and attachment), and evil spirits and demons ( deluded doubts). Her nature is one of active compassion; she is known for helping those in need with lightning quickness.

This Green Tara is seated on a moon disk supported by a footed lotus petal throne, upon a two inch high wood base. She sits in a posture of ease with her right foot extended, signifying her readiness to spring into action. Her right foot is supported by a lotus blossom springing from the foot of the lotus throne. Her left leg is folded in the contemplative position, the two together thereby signifying the integration of wisdom and action. Her left hand is in Vitarka Mudra , the gesture of teaching, with the thumb and index finger, as she delicately holds the stem of a lotus blossom. She has an urna, the small round shape on her forehead, which is a symbol of a kind of third eye with which see is able to see past this universe of suffering, samsara , into the world of enlightenment. She has the three rings at her neck which mark her as a Mahapursa , or individual of great spiritual wisdom. See less