Central Tibet
14th century
The right hand is extended in a giving gesture.
Central Tibet
14th century
This elegant bronze of Green Tara represents early Tibetan aesthetics and metal sculpture at its best. The general composition and the elegant sway of the body are clearly based on South Asian examples, as are some of the details, including the hair with a knot on one side covered by a net and the transparent scarf crossing the figure’s breast and forming a loop on the left shoulder. That this is an image of Green Tara, rather than another form of the popular Buddhist goddess, can be concluded from the blue lily (utpala) held in her left hand. A second blue lily, with one blossom shown in profile, has been added for reasons of symmetry and has no iconographic significance.
The right hand is extended in a giving gesture.
This relaxed posture is commonly associated with regal leisure.
A religious movement that originated in India around the fifth to seventh century with sacred writings and esoteric teachings and practices transmitted from teacher to student through initiation. These remain an important part of Hinduism and Buddhism today.
A virtuous feeling and deep respect toward an authentic teaching, teacher, or path. Buddhists believe that expansive study, analysis, and meditation are essential steps for cultivating a healthy and enduring devotion.
Female bodhisattvas and tantric deities embody specific enlightened qualities such as wisdom, power, and protection, and can be peaceful or wrathful in appearance.
Today, Tibetans primarily inhabit the Tibetan Plateau, situated between the Himalayan mountain range and the Indian subcontinent to the west, Chinese cultural regions to the east, and Mongolian cultural regions to the northeast. During the 7th to 9th century, Tibetan rulers expanded their empire across Central Asia, and established Buddhism as the state religion.
Get the latest news and stories from the Rubin, plus occasional information on how to support our work.