White Tara also known as Saptalochani, is one of the most beloved and revered deities in the Buddhist pantheon, especially in the Vajrayana tradition. She embodies compassion, healing, and long life, often associated with longevity and protection from suffering. As a female Bodhisattva, White Tara represents the feminine aspect of enlightened wisdom, embodying purity, grace, and serenity. White Tara offers protection and guidance, helping practitioners navigate the challenges of life while cultivating spiritual growth.
Iconography and Attributes
White Tara is commonly portrayed in a seated posture of meditation, emanating a tranquil and compassionate presence. Her white color signifies purity, wisdom, and a spotless mind, distinguishing her from her dynamic counterpart, Green Tara. The serene stance of White Tara embodies her connection to longevity, healing, and spiritual liberation.
Physical Form and Gesture
- Seven Eyes (Saptalochani): A unique feature of White Tara is her seven eyes which is also why she is called Saptalochani (the one with seven eyes) —two in the usual spots, one on her forehead, and one on each of her palms and soles.
These seven eyes, or "Saptalochani," symbolize her ability to see all suffering and her deep awareness of the struggles of sentient beings. This omnipresence reflects her wisdom, vigilance, and boundless compassion.
- Colour: White Tara is predominantly represented in white, symbolizing purity, wisdom, and compassion. This color reflects her nurturing qualities and her role as a healing figure.
- Seated Posture: White Tara is mostly portrayed seated in a padmasana (lotus position) on a blooming lotus flower. This posture signifies her transcendence over worldly suffering and attachment.
- Peaceful Expression: White Tara's serene and calm face reflects her meditative state, symbolizing her attentiveness to the suffering of all beings. Her half-closed eyes convey her readiness to assist and protect with deep compassion.
- Mudras (Hand Gestures):
- Varada Mudra: Her right hand is extended in the Varada Mudra, the gesture of supreme giving, symbolizing her generosity and willingness to bestow blessings, health, and long life.
- Vishvavajra Mudra: In her left hand, White Tara holds a blue utpala lotus, a symbol of wisdom and spiritual awakening, with her fingers in the Vishvavajra Mudra. The lotus signifies purity, untainted by worldly suffering, and White Tara’s connection to guiding beings toward enlightenment.
- Lotus Flowers: Lotus Flowers: The lotus flowers blossoming at her shoulders symbolize purity and spiritual transcendence. Like the lotus that rises from the mud yet remains unstained, White Tara’s compassion helps beings rise above suffering. The blue utpala lotus, in particular, represents wisdom and the potential for enlightenment.
- Lavish Ornaments and Flowing Robes: White Tara is adorned with fine silk robes and lavish jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and a crown, symbolizing her enlightened qualities and her Bodhisattva status. These adornments reflect virtues such as wisdom, compassion, and generosity, which are central to her identity. White Tara's flowing white robes symbolize purity and compassion, reflecting her serene nature and nurturing qualities, embodying the virtues of healing and tranquility in Buddhist practice.
Symbolism of White Tara
The deep symbolism of White Tara highlights her essence as a deity of compassion, healing, and longevity, embodying significant spiritual meaning. Her key attributes include:
- Seven Eyes (Saptalochani): The seven eyes highlight White Tara’s omnipresent awareness and ability to see all suffering across realms. This feature represents her wisdom, compassion, and vigilance in responding to the needs of all beings.
- White Colour: The white colour signifies not only purity and wisdom but also the nurturing aspect of motherhood inherent in her character.
- Lotus Flower: Central to White Tara's iconography, the lotus flower represents purity, spiritual awakening, and the potential to transcend suffering. The blue utpala lotus signifies her wisdom and her ability to lead beings on the path to enlightenment.
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Mudras (Hand Gestures): Mudras, or symbolic hand gestures, play a vital role in Buddhist iconography, and White Tara is depicted with two primary mudras that convey her qualities of protection and generosity.
- Varada Mudra: This mudra signifies her boundless generosity and willingness to bestow blessings, health, and long life on those who seek her help. Her palm is open, inviting beings to receive her blessings, healing, and protection.
- Vishvavajra Mudra: This mudra represents protection, purity, and wisdom. The utpala lotus, which blooms at night, is a symbol of purity and spiritual awakening that transcends the darkness of ignorance. By holding the lotus, White Tara shows her connection to enlightenment and her ability to guide beings toward spiritual awakening.
- Longevity and Healing: White Tara is deeply connected to longevity and healing. Her compassionate nature is invoked for protection from illness and premature death, with devotees seeking her blessings for long life and well-being.
- Peace and Serenity: White Tara’s calm expression embodies peace and tranquility. Her presence is said to bring comfort, dispelling fear, and providing relief from suffering for those in need.
White Tara’s Role in Buddhist Practice
White Tara plays several vital roles within Buddhist practice:
Compassionate Protector: As a protector of all beings, White Tara listens to the suffering of those who call upon her for help. She is revered for her ability to alleviate pain and provide comfort during challenging times.
Healing Deity: Known for her healing qualities, White Tara is often invoked for physical health and emotional well-being. Practitioners seek her blessings for longevity and protection from illness.
Guide to Spiritual Growth: White Tara helps practitioners cultivate qualities such as patience, compassion, and wisdom on their spiritual journey. Her presence encourages individuals to overcome obstacles that may hinder their progress.
Meditational Focus: In meditation practices, visualizing White Tara can help practitioners connect with her energy, fostering inner peace and clarity while promoting healing.
Historical Context
The origins of White Tara can be traced back to early Buddhist traditions where she emerged from the tears of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. This act symbolizes deep compassion for sentient beings' suffering. Over time, she became an essential figure in Tibetan Buddhism, where she is honored for her qualities of purity, healing, and longevity. Historically, White Tara's worship developed as part of emphasizing the feminine divine within Buddhism. Her imagery has evolved through various Buddhist traditions, reflecting her role as both protector and guide.
Practices Associated with White Tara
Devotees engage in various practices to connect with White Tara's energy:
Mantra Recitation: Chanting mantras associated with White Tara is common among practitioners seeking healing or protection. The mantra "Om Tare Tuttare Ture Mama Ayuh Punya Jñana Pustim Kuru Svaha" is particularly popular.
Meditation: Meditating on White Tara involves visualizing her form while focusing on her attributes to cultivate compassion and healing within oneself.
Ritual Offerings: Offerings made to White Tara during rituals can include flowers, incense, or food items as expressions of devotion.
Statues or Thangka Paintings: Many practitioners use statues or thangkas (traditional Tibetan paintings) depicting White Tara as focal points for meditation and devotion.
Significance of White Tara
White Tara, the goddess of compassion and long life, is a deeply venerated figure in Buddhism. Her serene, peaceful demeanor, coupled with her powerful attributes and mudras, reflects her role as a protector and healer. With her seven eyes, White Tara sees all suffering and responds with boundless compassion, guiding beings toward health, longevity, and spiritual awakening. Through her practice, devotees seek her blessings for healing, protection, and the cultivation of the enlightened qualities she embodies. As a symbol of purity, wisdom, and feminine energy, White Tara continues to inspire practitioners around the world, offering solace and guidance on the path to enlightenment.
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