2.25” White Tara Statue

WHITE TARA – THE DIVINE MOTHER

White Tara’s compassion for living beings and her desire to save them from suffering is said to be even stronger than a mother’s love for her children. As the personification of enlightened maternal compassion, she has infinite sympathy for those facing the challenges of worldly existence. She is the the female aspect of the universe and the source of all life, thus she lovingly engenders, nourishes and smiles at the vitality of creation. Meditation on the goddess grants health, long life, fearlessness, patience and peace; and she is especially cherished for her swiftness in responding to the prayers of those who call upon her. Her color white symbolizes her radiant purity, but white also expresses her fundamental nature, which is ultimate Truth, complete and undifferentiated.

GESTURES AND ATTRIBUTES

White Tara is depicted in a posture of graceful contemplative ease with both legs raised and crossed, displaying a regal elegance and serenity. Her right hand is extended downward, palm open, with thumb and index finger touching. This hand position is known as Varada Mudra , or the gesture of granting wishes and protection. Her left hand, raised to shoulder height with fingers extended and palm turned outward, is in the gesture of granting refuge and freeing from fears ( Abhaya Mudra ). Each of her hands also holds the stem of a beautiful lotus flower that floats above her shoulder as a symbol of her radiant purity and power. A distinctive characteristic of White Tara, shown in this representation, is her seven eyes. She has the two usual eyes plus one in the center of her forehead and one in each of her hands and feet. These eyes indicate that she sees all the suffering and cries for help in the universe, and symbolize her divine omniscience.