Tara

Tara is one of the most venerated figures of Tibetan Buddhism. Her name means ‘she who liberates’ or ‘she who carries across’, over the ocean of suffering to the other shore. According to tradition, she arose from the tears of Chenrezig, the bodhisattva of compassion, as he looked upon the suffering of all beings. She is regarded as compassion in female form, close and approachable.

The tradition knows 21 forms of Tara, each with its own colour and posture. The best known are Green Tara and White Tara. Green Tara sits with her right leg slightly extended, ready to rise and help, and is called upon in difficult moments. White Tara stands for long life, healing and inner peace. She has seven eyes, on her forehead, palms and soles of her feet, an image of her all-seeing compassion.

Our pieces show Tara as a statue in brass, copper or bronze, on thangkas and wooden wall hangings, on prayer flags, as pendants and amulets, along with incense sticks of Green and White Tara. The statues and wooden wall hangings are handcrafted by Tibetan artisans in the Himalayas and partly painted by hand, so no two are exactly alike.