White Tara; Sitatara; Mother of Long Life
---This exquisite 35cm / 13.8" White Tara Buddha statue represents the finest of Nepalese master craftsmanship—a pure copper hand-carved masterwork featuring complete 24k gold-gilding, genuine gemstone inlay, an elaborately carved mandorla, and the meticulous craftsmanship that distinguishes true Himalayan art.
· Height: 35 cm / 13.8 inches (including mandorla)
· Material: Pure copper with complete 24k gold-gilding and genuine gemstone inlay
· Style: White Tara in full vajra posture with seven eyes, ornate mandorla
· Origin: Masterwork hand-carved in Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
· Ideal for: Meditation space, home altar, long-life practice, healing practice, spiritual art collection
White Tara, known in Tibetan as Sitatara, is one of the most revered female deities in Buddhist tradition, embodying long life, healing, and serene compassion. She is known as the "Mother of Long Life" and is often invoked for health, longevity, and protection from illness. Her white complexion symbolizes purity, transcendence, and the complete spectrum of enlightened wisdom.
Seated in full vajra posture (padmasana) upon a double-lotus throne, her serene expression embodies the perfect peace of enlightened compassion—downcast eyes that gaze upon all beings with unconditional love, a gentle smile radiating the warmth of maternal care. Her face conveys the nurturing energy of a mother who protects her children without hesitation.
The seven eyes that distinguish White Tara are rendered with exceptional precision:
· The wisdom eye on her forehead perceives all realms with enlightened awareness
· The eyes on her palms see the suffering of beings and extend compassion through every gesture
· The eyes on the soles of her feet witness the cries of beings wherever she steps
These seven eyes symbolize her awakened awareness that sees all suffering throughout the three worlds and responds with compassionate activity.
In her right hand, resting gracefully on her knee, she extends varada mudra (the gesture of supreme giving), bestowing blessings of long life and freedom from illness. In her left hand, held at her heart, she cradles the stem of a blue utpala lotus that blossoms at her shoulder. The lotus features three flowers—one in full bloom, one budding, and one ready to open—representing the past, present, and future Buddhas.
The elaborate mandorla behind the deity is intricately hand-carved with dynamic flame patterns, scrolling vegetation, and auspicious symbols. The flames represent the radiant light of healing wisdom that emanates from White Tara, symbolizing her power to burn away all illness and obstacles to long life.
Genuine gemstones are hand-set throughout the sculpture—in the five-jewel crown adorning her head, the earrings grazing her shoulders, the necklaces resting against her chest, the armlets encircling her upper arms, the bracelets adorning her wrists, and the anklets decorating her feet. Each stone is carefully selected and individually placed by the master artisan, catching light from every angle and adding to the statue's radiant presence.
The complete 24k gold-gilding adds radiant luminosity to the entire sculpture. Multiple layers of pure gold are carefully applied using traditional mercury-gilding techniques, creating a warm, glowing surface that catches light and draws the eye to White Tara's serene presence. This full gold finish ensures the deity shines with maximum splendor from every angle.
Every element of this hand-carved masterwork reflects extraordinary skill. The elaborate five-jewel crown adorning her head represents the five wisdoms, each jewel rendered with crisp definition. 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. Celestial silks drape gracefully over her shoulders, their flowing folds demonstrating mastery of classical techniques.
The 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. The utpala lotus at her shoulder is carved with gracefully curling stems, its three blossoms opening in perfect symmetry.
According to traditional sources, White Tara holds a uniquely important position in Buddhist practice as one of the three principal long-life deities, together with Amitayus and Ushnishavijaya. She is considered an emanation of Avalokiteshvara's compassion, manifesting specifically to promote long life and healing. Her mantra—"Om Tare Tuttare Ture Mama Ayuh Punya Jnana Pustime Svaha"—is recited for longevity, recovery from illness, and protection from untimely death.
The ancient technique used in crafting this piece follows time-honored methods preserved in the Kathmandu Valley for centuries. The lost-wax process, detailed hand-chasing, and careful application of gold-gilding and gemstone inlay have been executed with exceptional precision by a master artisan.
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. This 35cm White Tara masterwork, with its complete gold-gilding, genuine gemstone inlay, elaborate mandorla, and master-level carving, represents that living heritage—a timeless expression of the Mother of Long Life whose healing compassion extends to all beings.
