Green Tara is a forest deity that is the most popular embodiment of the bodhisattva Tara. Additionally, she has her own pure land called Mt Potala where she resides in idyllic bliss among waterfalls, birds and forest animals. However, she is always ready to swiftly come to the assistance of sentient beings. Indeed, our Green Tara Tibetan Thangka is a classic depiction of her with right leg partially extended.
This Green Tara Tibetan Thangka also depicts her holding one uptala flower (blue lotus) in each hand. The blue lotus is very symbolic in Buddhism. It is because the blue lotus rises out of the mud and grows through the murky pond water to blossom in the clean air and sunlight. This is an important metaphor for devotees who can rise through the sea of suffering to obtain Nirvana.
The right hand of Green Tara is open and facing forward in the Varada “gift giving” mudra. Her left hand depicts a variation of the Abhaya “protection” mudra which encourages devotees to have strong faith. Additionally, Green Tara has a youthful countenance and she encourages devotees to share her youthful perspective.
Here, Green Tara wears the elaborate crown and jewels of a bodhisattva. Furthermore, Green Tara is known as the “liberator” and she wishes for devotees to be free from all obstacles. She is also known as a feminist and she has refused to be reincarnated as a male. Click here to learn more about the Tara bodhisattva.
