Sublime 18th Century White Tara Thangka

"Mother of all the Buddhas"and "Saviouress to all Mongolians"

It is rare that such a beautiful example of Mongolian devotional art comes onto the open market. This is an extremely special 18^th century thangka of the Seven-Eyed White Tara – that form of Tara particularly known for compassion, long life, healing and serenity and closest to the heart of the Mongolian people.

This provincial masterpiece has a remarkable level of "presence" - she radiates loving kindness and compassion and truly manifests the magical nature of this deity and will speak openly to those with "heart eyes" open. This work is sublime, sweet and gentle. The offerings in the thangka’s foreground focus the viewers’ devotional perspective and in turn generate great merit, As painted, she is graceful, delicate and iconographically correct.

Both the thangka painting and the choice of pale blue silk brocade evidence the highest levels of sensitivity and craftsmanship – of particular note is the vibrancy of colour, the depth of expression and the multiplicity of long life symbols woven through the silk brocade. In addition this Tara comes enshrined beneath silken veils or curtains – these serve to protect the thangka during storage and transport and also sustain the deity’s potency when not in ritual usage.

Tara, a female Buddha and meditation deity is the most popular goddess across the Himalayas and Mongolia . She is considered to be the goddess of universal compassion and the manifestation of all the actions of all the Buddhas. Her name derives from the Sanskrit root tar, to cross over – meaning one who assists all beings to traverse this ocean of samsara and into the realm of enlightenment. There are twenty-one forms of Tara - the two most popular are Green Tara and White Tara. White Tara is the special goddess of long life and is here to help practitioners overcome obstacles. She also has the power to grant wishes and to protect from danger and distress. Of all Buddhist deities Tara is the most accessible – she will answer when called and Buddhist literature is full of stories where her iconography "comes to life" and "speak directly to practitioners". Zanabazar , Mongolia 's first bogd gegen was devoted to Tara as have been many other famous Buddhist teachers and saints.

White Tara meditations and rituals are widely practised and very powerful in promoting well-being. These are linked to her particular qualities and build upon her special iconography. For example, her seven eyes can be taken to symbolise the seven Paramitas of perfection which are: Charity; Harmony; Patience; Equanimity; Courage; Meditative Contemplation; and Prajna - that mystical quality of perception "which makes of man a god, creating him a Bodhisattva".

This is a museum-quality devotional masterpiece and as such will continue to benefit all sentient beings - whether in the context of a public exhibition or as precious shrine object. Her presence manifests the female aspect of the universe - giving birth to warmth, compassion and relief from bad karma. Her smile reminds us of the vitality of creation and clearly communicates compassion for all sentient beings as a mother does for her children. A masterpiece.