White Tara with Aparimita Painting

White Tara with Aparimita Painting is hand painted on cotton canvas in Kathmandu, Nepal. The size of this thangka is 136*183 cm (18*24 inch) in size.

Aparimita is depicted at the peak of White Tara in the thangka, with two goddesses standing in the lower left and right corners of the painting.

Iconography of White Tara

White Tara is viewed as an embodiment of the insight and freedom that all Buddhas provide. Her compassionate nature is seen as being even more powerful than a mother’s love for her own children, and she is determined to help living beings break free from suffering.

White Tara is celebrated for her quick response to those who ask for her help. Her meditation practice is said to promote health, longevity, courage, patience, and peace. People often perform White Tara sadhanas to extend their life and treat illnesses. It is believed that since Arya Tara is the collective embodiment of the enlightened activity of all Buddhas, her sadhana is easily attainable.

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 Aparmita

The thangka depicts the revered deity Aparimita at the peak of Dolma Karpo. He is renowned for granting longevity to worshippers and is depicted as a red figure with his hands in dhyana mudra, holding 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