Tara, “the Star,” is a female bodhisattva. In her form of Green Tara, she represents compassion as an active force in the quest for enlightenment. With her left foot, she steps onto a lotus flower as if just about to rise from her seat, while in her left hand she holds the stalk of a lotus (which would have appeared just above her shoulder). In a departure from most images of Green Tara, this sculpture’s right-hand exhibits the gesture of blessing rather than the customary gift-giving gesture.
According to the story of her origins, Tara had been a pious princess in a previous life. Because of her devotion, she amassed a huge store of religious merit (punya), which would have enabled her to achieve rebirth as a man. But instead of applying her religious merit to rebirth as a man, she asserted that there was in ultimate reality neither male nor female. For this reason, she vowed to remain female until she had helped all beings reach enlightenment by transcending such dualities as male and female.
Details
- Title : The deity Green Tara
- Year : approx. 1500-1600
- Classification : Sculpture
- Medium : Gilded bronze and semi precious stones
- Dimension : H. 19 in x W. 13 in x D. 13 in , H.48.25 cm x W. 33 cm x D. 33 cm
- Accession No : B60B160
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Collection : Asian Art Museum
- Credit Line : The Avery Brundage Collection
- Status : Not on display
- Department : Himalayan Art