thangka

Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig)
The Buddha of Great Compassion

Avalokiteshvara (‘One who hears the cries of the world’) is the embodiment of infinite compassion. Long ago he vowed not to return to nirvana until all living beings had been liberated from suffering. To accomplish this, Avalokiteshvara travels to all realms of the universe offering his compassionate blessings to all beings. In his four-armed form, sitting in the full lotus posture, he represents the four immeasurable qualities of a bodhisattva: love, compassion, joy, and equanimity. Avalokiteshvara holds a lotus flower in his left hand, symbolizing the stainless wisdom that has realized the true nature of reality. Avalokiteshvara reminds us that awakening is not an escape or retreat from personal problems, but rather reaching outward and embracing the entire world with the love and compassion of our heart.

Green Tara
Buddha of Active Compassion

The Goddess Green Tara is a gentle female embodiment of universal compassion. Green Tara represents the virtuous, enlightened, and miraculous activity of all Buddhas. She reaches out her hand in the gesture of granting protection, freeing one from fear, obstacles, and difficulties. With her right foot stepping forward, she is alert, determined, and ready to actively help all who call upon her. Green Tara is known as the ‘Swift One’ or the ‘Swift Liberator’ due to her immediate response to those who request her aid. Green Tara’s compassion for the welfare of all living beings is said to be even stronger than a mother’s love for her children. She is the one who helps us cross over the ocean of suffering and guides us upon the path of enlightenment.

Manjushri
The Buddha of Transcendent Wisdom

Manjushri is the embodiment of transcendent or perfect wisdom. His blessings are said to be like the all-pervading light of the sun whose radiance dispels the obscuring clouds of ignorance, revealing the wisdom and clarity of our awakened nature. His flaming sword represents discriminating wisdom – the ability of the enlightened mind to cut through the afflictions of delusion, hatred, and greed. Manjushri holds the stem of a lotus blossom upon which rests the scripture of Perfected Wisdom (Prajnaparamita Sutra). This suggests the ability of the awakened mind and heart to see all things as they truly are, free from limited, dualistic, and separative views of reality. Manjushri meditation practice is said to confer mastery of the Dharma, retentive memory, mental clarity, and eloquence of speech.

Medicine Buddha
The Buddha of Healing

Medicine Buddha is the embodiment of the collective healing power of all the Buddhas. He is the physician, the enlightened healer who protects living beings from physical and mental sickness, as well as other dangers and obstacles. Medicine Buddha helps all beings to effectively eradicate the three poisons of attachment, hatred, and ignorance, which are the cause of all sickness and suffering. He has the power to see the true cause of all afflictions, whether physical, psychological, or spiritual, and does whatever is necessary to alleviate this suffering. Medicine Buddha has his right hand outstretched in the gesture of supreme generosity, giving protection from illness and holding the great medicine plant myrobalan.

Padmasambhava
(Guru Rinpoche)

Padmasambhava (‘Lotus Born’) is the embodiment of active wisdom and compassion as it arises from the vast expanse of the enlightened mind of all the Victorious Ones. Also known as Guru Rinpoche (‘Precious Guru’), Padmasambhava was a renowned tantric master of Nothern India. In the eighth century he came to Tibet and subdued the hostile spirits obstructing the spread of Buddhist teachings and converted them into powerful protectors of the Dharma. During his time in Tibet, Padmasambhava founded monasteries, taught tantric doctrine, and benefited countless beings. He sits in the posture of royal ease, displaying the naturally awakened state in which everything relaxes into the condition of primordial purity.

Shakyamuni Buddha
The Founder of Buddhism

Shakyamuni Buddha was born about 2600 years ago in what is now Nepal. He was known as Siddhartha Gautama, a prince and son of King Suddhodana and Queen Mayadevi. At the age of 29, he renounced the luxury of his royal heritage to take up the life of a religious wanderer. He submitted himself to rigorous and extreme ascetic practices, putting forth a superhuman struggle for six strenuous years. At the age of 35, after gaining profound insight into the true nature of reality (Dharma), he attained complete enlightenment. For the remainder of his life, living as the perfect embodiment of all the virtues he preached, the Buddha (‘Awakened One’) traveled widely teaching the Dharma. He offered his teachings to men, women, and children from all walks of life so they could also end suffering and attain awakening.

White Tara
Compassionate Mother of Long Life

White Tara represents the enlightened and liberating activity of all the Buddhas. She embodies the motherly aspect of universal compassion. Her compassion for living beings and her desire to save them from suffering is said to be even stronger than a mother’s love for her children. White Tara, the Mother of all Buddhas, is known for her swiftness in responding to the prayers of those who invoke her name. Her right hand is open towards us in the gesture of supreme generosity, signifying her ability to fulfill our spiritual and material needs. Her left hand is in the gesture (mudra) of bestowing blessing, refuge, and protection. White Tara meditation practice is said to grant health, long life, fearlessness, patience, and peace.