White Tara is one of the three deities, along with Amitayus and Ushnishavijaya, associated with promoting long life. Considered the most popular of the female deities in all of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, she is worshiped widely and is one of the most recognizable figures in Tibetan Buddhist images. She has three eyes on her face, the third located at the center of her forehead, and one eye on each of her palms. This sculpture, cast in one piece, is decorated with chased ornaments. A slight tilt of the head, favored by some artists working during this time period, animates the figure.

Artwork Details

Title
White Tara
Dimensions
12 × 8 5/8 × 6 3/4 in.
Medium
Brass
Origin
Tibet
Classification(s)
sculpture
Date
15th century
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art
Object number
C2005.16.34
HAR Number
65457
Published references
* Van Alphen, J. Collection Highlights: Rubin Museum of Art. New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2014. Pp. 248-249

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Visualization

Concepts

A meditation technique primarily used in tantric practice that involves imagining a deity in one’s mind or imagining oneself becoming a deity and carrying out various activities. Such techniques are intended to help a practitioner transform ordinary perception and achieve enlightened qualities.

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Power

Concepts

A kind of energy that can be used, individually and collectively, to effect change.

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Gender

Concepts

In Buddhism gender is considered more fluid compared to some other religions. Certain traditions emphasize the importance of all genders in achieving enlightenment. The feminine is considered an embodiment of wisdom and the masculine is an embodiment of method.

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Female Deities

Figure Type

Female bodhisattvas and tantric deities embody specific enlightened qualities such as wisdom, power, and protection, and can be peaceful or wrathful in appearance.

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Tibetan Regions

Region

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.

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