-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.
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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. |