Green Tara; Syamatara; Mother of Liberation
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This extraordinary 86cm / 33.9" Green Tara statue represents the absolute pinnacle of Nepalese master craftsmanship—a monumental pure copper hand-carved masterwork featuring complete 24k gold-gilding and the museum-quality hand-carved details that distinguish the finest Himalayan art.
· Height: 86 cm / 33.9 inches
· Material: Pure copper with complete 24k gold-gilding
· Style: Green Tara in lalitasana posture with utpala lotus
· Origin: Museum-quality masterwork hand-carved in Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
· Ideal for: Monastery hall, major shrine, museum collection, meditation hall, sacred art museum
Green Tara is the most beloved female deity in Himalayan Buddhist tradition, embodying the swift compassion and enlightened activity of all Buddhas. As the "Mother of Liberation," she is known for her quick response to prayers, removing obstacles and saving beings from fear and danger . Her green color symbolizes the active, youthful energy of enlightened compassion, always ready to arise and help those in need. In Tibet, she is regarded as the active embodiment of compassion, the female aspect of Avalokiteshvara, and the mother of all Buddhas.
Seated in lalitasana—the posture of royal ease—upon a monumental double-lotus throne, her right leg gracefully extended, symbolizing her readiness to rise and spring into action to protect beings from danger. Her right hand rests on her knee in varada mudra (the gesture of supreme giving), bestowing blessings and fulfilling the wishes of those who call upon her. Her left hand, held gracefully at her heart, cradles the stem of a blue utpala lotus that blossoms at her shoulder, representing purity emerging from the muddy waters of samsara.
Her serene expression embodies the perfect balance of peaceful compassion and dynamic readiness—downcast eyes that gaze upon all beings with unconditional love, a gentle smile radiating the warmth of enlightened activity. The three eyes (including the wisdom eye in her forehead) are rendered with exceptional precision, each one conveying awakened awareness that perceives all suffering and responds with immediate compassion.
The complete 24k gold-gilding adds radiant luminosity to this monumental sculpture. Multiple layers of pure gold are carefully applied using traditional techniques, creating a warm, glowing surface that catches light and draws the eye to Tara's serene presence from across any sacred space. This full gold finish ensures the deity shines with maximum splendor from every angle, symbolizing the precious nature of enlightened compassion.
Every element of this hand-carved masterwork reflects the extraordinary skill of the master artisan working at monumental scale. The elaborate five-jewel crown adorning her head represents the five wisdoms, each jewel rendered with crisp definition even at this larger size. Long silk ribbons cascade from her crown, their delicate folds carved with precision. Long earrings graze her shoulders, symbolizing her balanced awareness of all realms. Elaborate jewelry adorns her form: necklaces rest against her chest, armlets encircle her upper arms, bracelets adorn her wrists, and anklets decorate her feet—all rendered with meticulous attention at this impressive scale. Celestial silks drape gracefully over her shoulders, their flowing folds demonstrating mastery of classical Himalayan techniques.
The monumental double-lotus throne beneath her features layers of individually carved petals—each petal precisely shaped, their tips slightly curled, creating a throne of sacred beauty appropriate for a temple setting. The upper layer of petals faces upward, representing liberation, while the lower layer faces downward, symbolizing compassion descending to benefit all beings. The utpala lotus at her shoulder is carved with gracefully curling stems, its blossoms opening in perfect symmetry at a scale visible from across a meditation hall.
According to traditional sources, Green Tara holds a uniquely important position in Himalayan Buddhist practice. She is considered the "Mother of All Buddhas" and the embodiment of their compassionate activity. Twenty-one forms of Tara are revered in the tradition, with Green Tara as the principal figure from whom all others emanate . Her mantra—"Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha"—is recited for protection, healing, and the removal of obstacles on the spiritual path.
Historically, Green Tara emerged from the tears of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, as he wept seeing the suffering of beings. From his tears, Tara manifested in both peaceful and wrathful forms, promising to protect beings from the eight great fears and lead them to enlightenment. This origin story emphasizes her intimate connection to compassion and her role as the active expression of enlightened care.
During the process of their creation, masterworks such as this often receive special rituals to enable the "enlivening" or vivification of the statues, as well as investing them with beneficent powers . This consecration transforms the statue from a mere work of art into a sacred object worthy of veneration.
For more than a millennium, the Kathmandu Valley has nurtured a living lineage of metal sculptors who have preserved the secrets of ancient lost-wax creation at the highest level. This 86cm Green Tara masterwork represents that living heritage at its zenith—a museum-quality piece that bears the unmistakable hallmarks of master-level workmanship: perfect proportions, crisp detailing, flawless finishing, and the serene presence that distinguishes true masterworks from all ordinary production pieces.
