White Tara; Sitatara; Mother of Long Life
---This exceptional 50cm / 19.7" White Tara statue represents the absolute pinnacle of Nepalese master craftsmanship—a pure copper hand-carved masterwork created using ancient traditional techniques, featuring complete 24k gold-gilding, genuine gemstone inlay throughout, and an elaborately carved flaming mandorla, with the refined artistry that distinguishes a true museum-quality masterpiece of Himalayan art.
· Height: 50 cm / 19.7 inches (including mandorla)
· Material: Pure copper with complete 24k gold-gilding and genuine gemstone inlay (turquoise, lapis lazuli, coral)
· Style: White Tara in full vajra posture with seven eyes, ornate flaming mandorla
· Origin: Masterwork hand-carved in Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
· Ideal for: Meditation space, home altar, spiritual art collection, long-life practice, healing practice
White Tara, known in Tibetan as Sitatara , is one of the most revered female deities in Himalayan 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. She is one of the "Long Life Three" along with Amitayus and Ushnishavijaya, forming the essential triad for longevity practice in Tibetan Buddhism .
Seated in full vajra posture (padmasana) upon a magnificent 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 from other deities 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. No being's pain escapes her notice, and no call for help goes unanswered .
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. This attribute emphasizes her connection to all enlightened beings throughout time.
The elaborate flaming mandorla behind the deity is itself a masterpiece of Himalayan artistry. Intricately hand-carved with dynamic flame patterns, scrolling vegetation, and auspicious symbols, the mandorla represents the radiant light of enlightened activity that emanates from White Tara. The flames symbolize her power to burn away all obstacles to long life and healing.
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, sacred presence. Traditional materials including turquoise, lapis lazuli, coral, and other precious stones are incorporated, their colors complementing Tara's white form .
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 Tara's serene presence . This full gold finish ensures the deity shines with maximum splendor from every angle.
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 .
Every element of this hand-carved masterwork reflects the extraordinary skill of the master artisan. The elaborate five-jewel crown adorning her head represents the five wisdoms, each jewel rendered with crisp definition and enhanced by gemstone inlay. 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 and accented with carefully placed stones. Celestial silks drape gracefully over her shoulders, their flowing folds demonstrating mastery of classical Himalayan 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 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.
According to traditional sources, White Tara holds a uniquely important position in Himalayan Buddhist practice. 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 . Together with Green Tara, she forms the principal Tara dyad—Green Tara for swift compassionate activity, White Tara for long life and healing.
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 50cm White Tara masterwork, with its complete gold-gilding, genuine gemstone inlay, and elaborate flaming mandorla, represents that living heritage at its zenith—a museum-quality piece bearing the unmistakable hallmarks of master-level workmanship: perfect proportions, crisp detailing, flawless finishing, and the serene, healing presence of the Mother of Long Life.
