This beautiful 12-inch Jetsun Dolma statue depicts Green Tara in her immediately recognizable posture of compassionate readiness. Handcrafted in Patan, Nepal by skilled Newar artisans, the sculpture is cast from copper alloy using the traditional lost-wax method and fire gilded in 24K gold. Tara’s serene face is separately hand painted, giving her finely outlined eyes, delicately arched brows and softly colored lips. Measuring 12 inches high and 8 inches wide, this substantial 6000-gram sculpture combines traditional Tibetan Buddhist iconography with the refined metalworking traditions for which the Kathmandu Valley has been celebrated for centuries.
Green Tara is known in Tibetan as Jetsun Dolma, commonly understood as the Noble or Venerable Liberator. She embodies swift compassionate activity and the readiness of enlightened awareness to respond to suffering. Tibetan traditions also closely associate Tara with Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, with a famous account describing her emergence from his compassionate tears. This connection helps explain why compassion and active liberation remain central to Tara’s identity. Learn more about the traditional origin of Tara and her place within Tibetan Buddhism.
Jetsun Dolma Statue Iconography
Jetsun Dolma sits gracefully in lalitasana, the posture of royal ease. Her left leg remains folded inward while her right leg extends downward, with the foot resting upon its own small lotus support projecting from the throne. Unlike a completely meditative posture, this distinctive position conveys readiness: Tara remains peacefully composed yet prepared to arise immediately for the benefit of sentient beings. Her lowered right hand displays Varada mudra, the gesture of generosity, giving and compassionate blessing. Her raised left hand holds the stem of a lotus beside her shoulder. Explore the meaning of her posture and attributes in our guide to Green Tara iconography.
Large flowering stems rise symmetrically beside Tara and terminate in prominent open lotus blossoms above her shoulders. Both flowers are visibly opened in this sculpture, framing the head and elaborate Bodhisattva crown. Curling celestial ribbons extend outward behind her arms and around the composition, introducing movement and balancing the broad lotus throne beneath her.
24K Gold Gilding and Traditional Newar Craftsmanship
The sculpture is richly fire gilded in 24K gold, giving Tara a luminous presence suitable for a shrine, meditation room or collection of Himalayan Buddhist art. Her tall multi-pointed Bodhisattva crown is constructed with deeply modeled scrolling forms, while large ornamental earrings frame the hand-painted face. Layered necklaces, armlets, bracelets and carefully defined garment borders continue the decorative treatment throughout the figure. Buyers may request turquoise and red coral inlays for the crown and jewelry at no additional charge before shipping, adding traditional color accents to the gold surface.
The broad lotus throne provides an equally substantial foundation. Its sculpted lotus-petal register encircles the base, while the separate projecting lotus supports Tara’s extended right foot. These details reinforce the balanced proportions of the sculpture and complement the large lotus flowers rising beside her shoulders.
Jetsun Dolma Statue and the Green Tara Mantra
Green Tara’s celebrated mantra, Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha, invokes her liberating and protective activity. Tara practice is traditionally associated with overcoming fear and obstacles while cultivating compassionate awareness. Her poised posture, extended foot and open Varada hand visually express this swift responsiveness: she is not represented as withdrawn from the world but as actively available to those seeking assistance. Read more about Green Tara’s mantra and practice.
Matching Green Tara and Amitabha Buddha Statues
This sculpture makes an excellent companion to our 13-inch gold gilded Amitabha Buddha statue. Their closely matched dimensions and luminous 24K gold finishes create a harmonious two-statue display, while their different postures express complementary spiritual qualities. Amitabha sits in meditative equipoise with his hands in Dhyana mudra supporting his alms bowl, whereas Tara’s extended leg and Varada mudra emphasize active compassionate response.
Their doctrinal relationship is equally meaningful. Amitabha presides over the Padma or Lotus Buddha family and the Western Pure Land of Sukhavati. Avalokiteshvara is intimately associated with Amitabha and the Lotus family, while Green Tara’s traditional emergence from Avalokiteshvara’s compassion connects her naturally with this spiritual lineage. Displayed together, Amitabha and Jetsun Dolma can therefore represent the complementary qualities of contemplative wisdom, Pure Land aspiration and compassionate activity directed toward the liberation of sentient beings.
Custom Made Jetsun Dolma and Amitabha Statues
Collectors, practitioners, monasteries and Dharma centers may also commission custom Tibetan Buddhist statues handcrafted in Nepal. Green Tara and Amitabha may be commissioned individually or designed together as a coordinated shrine pair with matching dimensions, 24K gold gilding, lotus thrones and artistic proportions. Commissioning the pair together allows the artisans to create visual harmony while preserving each deity’s distinctive iconography. Amitabha contributes the serene meditative presence and Pure Land aspiration of the Buddha of Infinite Light, while Jetsun Dolma embodies swift compassion, protection and active liberation, creating a doctrinally meaningful and visually unified Buddhist altar arrangement.
Authentic, Handmade in Nepal
Every statue is handcrafted in Patan, Nepal, using traditional lost wax casting and comes with a certificate of authenticity issued by Nepal’s Department of Archaeology, verifying its materials, technique, and origin.
