Guge White Temple: White Tara and Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara

CHINA, Tibet, Ngari

This mural is on the east side of the south wall of the White Temple. Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara is depicted on the left side of the picture and White Tara is on the right. Both deities have three eyes and wear crowns, tight upper garments, and dhotis. They have white skin, nimbuses, and aureoles. Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara holds a parasol in her right hand and a wish-fulfilling jewel in her left hand. The right hand of White Tara forms the varada (wish-granting) mudra, and her left hand holds a long-stemmed lotus. Both deities are seated in full lotus position on lotus thrones that rest on top of platforms decorated with images of snow lions. There are intricate scroll patterns on the tops of the arches that surround the thrones.
Small images of deities including Buddhamatr images, the 21 manifestations of Tara, Dharma protectors, and gurus are painted in rows and columns around the two main figures. Each of the deities sits within a red, circular mandorla. They have different skin colors and stand or sit in different postures. From left to right in the top row are Khadiravani Tara, Kanakavarna Tara, Pravira Tara, Mahasattva, Rinchen Zangpo, Nyima Gon, and White Tara. The second row is composed of Kruddha-Kali Tara, Mangalotpadana Tara, Sita-Vijaya Tara, Jagadvasi Tara, Usnisavijaya, Raganisudana Tara, and Usnisa Tara. Vasudhara, Vijaya Tara, Bhagvati Arya Tara, Pacaka Tara, Sokavinodana Tara, and Paripurna Tara are in the third row.