Ashtamahabhaya Tara, Savior from the Eight Perils
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.The goddess Tara sits on a lotus throne within a stylized mountain cave in the magical Khadira grove, as suggested by the foliage across the top of this thangka. With her hand in the boon-bestowing gesture (varada mudra), she offers devotees salvation while protecting them from harm, indicated by the eight perils, which are illustrated in episodes on either side of the central figure. The Indian monk Atisha (portrayed above her head to the left) venerated Tara, who appeared in his dreams and encouraged him to travel to Tibet to spread Buddhist teachings. Flanking Tara are protective goddesses, and in the top register are the five celestial Buddhas, or Tathagatas.
Artwork Details
- Title: Ashtamahabhaya Tara, Savior from the Eight Perils
- Date: late 12th century
- Culture: Tibet, Reting monastery
- Medium: Mineral and organic pigments on cloth
- Dimensions: Image: 48 × 31 1/2 in. (121.9 × 80 cm)
Framed: 74 1/4 × 41 5/8 × 1 1/2 in. (188.6 × 105.7 × 3.8 cm); Est. wt. 66.5 lbs. (30.2 kg) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Lent by The John and Berthe Ford Collection at the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Maryland
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art