Item: Tara (Buddhist Deity)

Arya Tara Accomplishing Prosperity, the Sage of Long Life and Shakyamuni Buddha.

At the center of the composition is Tara, white in colour with four faces and eights arms. The hands hold the eight auspicious symbols. She sits in a relaxed posture. At the left side is the Sage of Long Life. On the right side is Shakyamuni Buddha.

Arya Tara 'Accomplishing Prosperity:'"...Tara, with the body and main face yellow in colour, right face white, back face blue and left face red, radiant, smiling beautifully. Having eight arms creating prosperity the first [hand] holds a victory banner marked with a jewel, second a wheel, third the stem of a red lotus with eight petals, and fourth a conch. The first left [hand] holds a vase, second a knot, third a fish, and fourth a parasol. [She] wears heavenly attire as upper and lower garments, [and] adorned with all of the ornaments: a jeweled crown, earrings, choker, bracelets, anklets, armlets and necklace. The two legs are seated in a playful manner." (Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye, 1813-1899).

Along the top beginning on the left are Green Tara 'Protecting from Fear of Snakes', Tsongkapa, Amitayus Buddha, Ushnishavijaya, Khasarpani Lokeshvara, Tangtong Gyalpo, Padmasambhava, Tara 'Protecting from Fear of Fire', and Tara 'Protecting from Fear of Elephants.' Standing to the side of Shakyamuni Buddha is Tara 'Protecting from the Fear of Lions'. Below the Buddha are two more forms of Tara 'Protecting from Fear.' Also slightly below the Buddha is a depiction of the 'Three Harmonious Friends.' Descending along the left side are two more forms of Tara 'Protecting from Fear.'

The Eastern Tibetan folk hero, Gesar, is placed at the lower center directly below Tara.

Jeff Watt 2-3014