White Tara with Aparmita Art

This artwork is a hand-painted piece on Cotton Canvas, crafted in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is 60*46 cm (40*30 inch) in size and weights 0.4 kg (0.88 lbs).

White Tara is the main focus of the thangka, with Aparmita and Namgyalma situated in the lower right and left corners respectively.

Iconography of White Tara

White Tara is seen as a representation of the wisdom and liberation brought by all Buddhas. She is seen as a symbol of a motherly compassion that is even more powerful than a mother’s love for her own children, and she is driven to help living beings escape suffering.

White Tara, the Mother of All Buddhas, is renowned for her swiftness in answering the pleas of those who call upon her. Her meditation practice is said to bring about health, long life, courage, patience, and tranquility. People often perform White Tara sadhanas to extend their lifespan and treat sickness. It is believed that since Arya Tara is the collective embodiment of the enlightened activity of all Buddhas, her sadhana is easily accomplished.

Gestures and Attributes

Her right hand is open towards us in the gesture of supreme generosity, signifying her ability to fulfill our spiritual and material needs.

Her left hand is in a gesture of providing blessings, safety, and security. She has seven eyes, one on each hand and foot, and the third eye on her face to demonstrate her awareness and response to suffering all around the world; she is seated in the full lotus posture, or vajra.

Her left hand holds the stem of a blossoming white lotus signifying her spiritual perfection and complete purity of body, speech, and mind.

The mantra of White Tara

OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MAMA AYUR PUNYE JNANA PUSHTIM KURU YE SVAHA

Iconography of Namgyalma

Namgyalma, also known as Ushnisha Vijaya, is located in the bottom right corner of the White Tara Thangka. This deity is associated with longevity and purification, and her mantra has many beneficial properties.

It is said to be so powerful that anybody who hears it will never again be born from the womb. Therefore, if animals hear it, they will never again be reborn in the lower realms.

The mantra of Ushnisha Vijaya (Namgyalma)

Om Dhrum Soha Om Amrita Ayur Dade Soha

Iconography of Aparmita

Aparmita bottom left corner of white tara in the thangka. Buddha Aparimita is very popular in bestowing long life upon the devotees. He is red in color. His two hands are in dhyana mudra and hold an ambrosia vase.

He is typically adorned with the various adornments associated with a Sambhogakaya Buddha, but never with a consort. He wears a crown and has an Ushnisha atop his head.

The Buddha Aparimita is called upon or venerated in order to extend life expectancy, quickly cure serious illnesses, or protect from imminent peril.

In the Nepalese Mahayana tradition, the dharani of Buddha Aparimita is often recited by devotees in the presence of those who are close to death. It is believed that reciting this dharani with true sincerity will be beneficial for the dying person.

It is said that the renowned Madhyamika Buddhist thinker Arya Nagarjuna was able to avoid his premature demise after chanting this dharani for an entire day and night.

The mantra of Buddha Aparmita

Om A Ma Ra Ni Dzi Wan Ti Ye Soha