There are many forms of the Buddhist goddess Tara, all of whom help practitioners overcome hindrances and difficulties on the path to Enlightenment. Each Tara has a different symbolic character and associated color. Green Tara, one of the most popular Buddhist protective goddesses, is said to have been born from the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara’s tears of compassion. Green Tara is a gracious form regarded as the savior from all suffering and the symbol of Enlightenment in female form. She is often propitiated for longevity. Green Tara is also the wisdom component of Enlightenment (prajna) associated with the transcendental Jina Buddha Amoghasiddhi.
Here, Green Tara is enthroned on a lion throne sitting in the relaxed posture (lalita asana) with her right leg pendant and supported by the pericarp of a lotus flower (karnika). She wears copious jewelry and elegant textiles. Her right hand is held in the gesture of charity (varada mudra). Her left hand holds the stock of a blue lotus (Nymphaea nouchali). The transcendental Buddhas Akshobhya and Ratnasambhava flank her head on the left and right respectively. On the proper left front corner of the base is the four-armed wrathful goddess Ekajata holding her elephant skin attribute over her head.
The Sanskrit inscription above the goddess’s head is the Buddhist creed: The Buddha has explained the cause of all things that arise from a cause. He, the great monk, has also explained their cessation.
The dedicatory inscription on the base beneath the donor figure reads, This is the pious gift of the elder monk Shakyamitra. (Translation by Pratapaditya Pal.)
