-This is White Tara, the bodhisattva of immaculacy and compassion.

-White Tara is an emanation of Avalokiteshvara.

-She is sitting in the lotus position and her right hand is in the varamudra.

-She is holding a blue lotus.

-She has seven eyes, one in her forehead, one in each foot and one in each hand.

-She, like Avalokiteshvara can see all the people who need compassion in the world.

-Amitabha Buddha is above her head.

-Above her from left to right are Avalokiteshvara, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Padmasambhava, an emanation of Avalokiteshavara.

-The table at the bottom has the offering of five senses-two cymbals(hearing), a mirror(vision), a silk sash(touch), an incense shell(smell) and fruit(taste).

-At the bottom on the left is Amitayus, both a Buddha and a Bodhisattva. He is a crowned version of the Amitabha Buddha who presides over Sukhavati heaven. In his hands he hold the jar of immortality.

-On the right is Ushnishavijaya who is an incarnation of Sitatara. She is the mother of all Buddhas and holds a small Buddha in her hand.

 

 

 

 

 
This site was created by Sarah Rowe at the NEH Summer Institute "Literatures, Religions, and Arts of the Himalayan Region," held at the College of the Holy Cross, Summer 2008.