Posted 8 years ago
marge26
(14 items)
I purchased this sculpture at a charity event. It seems to be brass or bronze and about 9" tall. Has a symbolvon the back. Not sure if this is the goddess Tara or what. Seems pretty aged, hence the patina. Thanks for any help. Marge
Your assessment is correct. this is White Tara, Buddhist Goddess of Maternal Compassion and Longevity, with a slim possibility that it is Green Tara who represents the virtues of success in work and achievements. I favor White Tara. The symbol on the back is that of Prosperity, usually associated with the Chinese Star God Lu Xing, Ursa Major. Very nice find.
I am sorry to disagree with the previous commenter, but this statue definitely depicts Green Tara, rather than White Tara.
Green Tara is the female Buddha of active compassion, always shown with her right foot stepping down in readiness to help sentient beings. While White Tara (the female Buddha of wisdom and longevity) is very similar in appearance, she is always shown with 7 eyes (three on her face, one on each hand and foot), and is always seated in lotus posture - rather than with one foot stepping down. (If you had an open eye in the sole of your foot, you wouldn't want to step down on it either!)
Iconographically the two Taras are otherwise very similar; for example, in both cases the right hand is extended downward and the left hand holds the stem of a lotus that blooms at the left ear.
This statue is in the Tibetan Buddhist style, likely made in India or Nepal. Traditionally it would have been filled with mantra rolls, incense, and other precious substances prior to consecration.
agree with rhineisfine , fake vayna by the way