This is a Painting of high Mastery of tibetan tradition. It made by a Master of the Newari tradition. This typology of art is handed down only to students chosen by the Master. To realize these works, is necessary to have a special dowry, which a true Master is able to recognize in the students. The aim of this special art is to convey the essence of divinity.
This "contact" takes place by dwelling above all on the face of the deity, capable of transmitting and spreading a particular harmony. This emanation is immediate, and proves to be so deep as to arouse emotion. This is the magic of this special Newari art.
The material realization of a thangka, as indeed happens for most Buddhist art, is highly geometric in nature. Arms, legs, eyes, nostrils, ears and various ritual objects are all placed on a systematic grid of intersecting angles and lines. A good master of thangka generally chooses from a variety of pre-arranged forms, those to be inserted in the composition, on a range ranging from cups for alms, to animals, to the shape, size and angle of eyes, nose and lips of a figure. The procedure appears very scientific, but often requires a very deep knowledge of the symbolism of the scene that is being painted, in order to grasp its essence or spirit.
This painting shows the mastery and excellent quality of Newari Art. The divinity depicted is White Tara.
Tara represents and embodies the aspect and characteristics of the feminine part of Buddha.
Tara is one of the most popular deities in the Buddhist pantheon especially in the Himalayan regions of Tibet, Nepal, Ladakh, Buthan and Mongolia.
The name Tara comes from the Sanskrit root "tr" (to cross, redeem) and translates as "she who allows at living beings to cross the ocean of existence and suffering", therefore the savior deity
It is said that Tara was born from the compassion tears of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (the Buddha of Compassion).
However there are two legends regarding the goddess. Avalokiteshvara, looking down on the earthly world from the heavens, was deeply moved to see the sentient beings torn apart by suffering. The tears formed a lake, so a lotus was born from it, and from the lotus flower appears Tara. However, there is another version of the legend in which two Tara were born from the tears of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara : the peaceful White Tara on the left side and the enterprising and dynamic Green Tara on the right side.
White Tara represents purity and is portrayed wearing a five leaf crown. The right hand is lowered and open in the gesture of guarantee (varadamudra), while the left makes the gesture of encouragement (abhayamudra) and holds a lotus flower in full bloom between the fingers. Its most evident characteristic are the seven eyes: in addition to the two natural ones, she has a third eye on the forehead and one on each hands and feet. The third eye symbolizes her direct vision of unity, of ultimate reality, while with the other two eyes she observes duality, the illusory world. The eyes, placed on the palm hands and feet soles, represent the union of compassion and perfect wisdom.
She is considered the protector of human beings who cross the ocean of existence.
White Tara is invoked by devotees to overcome obstacles, and bless the spiritual progress.
The material is cotton canvas, and the colors are water-soluble pigments, both minerals and organic materials, tempered with a solution of grass and glue.
