Tibet
15th century
The right hand is extended in a giving gesture.
Tibet
15th century
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.
The right hand is extended in a giving gesture.
Also known as vajra position, this posture is associated with meditation.
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.
A kind of energy that can be used, individually and collectively, to effect change.
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.
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.
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