Basgo Monastery Maitreya Hall Assembly Hall: White Tara

INDIA, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh

Located on the right side of the south wall of the assembly hall on the first story of Maitreya Hall, this mural is thought to have been painted by Tontrup Lekpa. White Tara wears a five-leaf crown adorned with flowers and floating ribbons. She is characterized by the “Buddha eyes” between her eyebrows, on her palms, and on the soles of her feet. Her narrow eyes gaze downwards, and she smiles slightly. The vibrantly colored Tara has long earlobes pierced with large earrings. Her body is adorned with ornaments. She is dressed in a bright red robe and a dhoti with overlapping folds. Seated in full lotus position, Tara forms the varada (wish-granting) mudra with her right hand while her left hand holds a lotus. The nimbus and aureole are painted with rings of color. Flanking the central figure, there are smaller images of Tara wearing tall crowns and forming mudras.