Material: Buddha card. White Tara, double fold printing

Size: 7 x 9 cm

Narrative:

White Tara is one of the 21 Taras in Tibetan Buddhism and is regarded as a symbol of longevity and wisdom. She is the incarnation of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, dedicated to saving all living beings and granting them longevity and blessings.

**Story and Origin**

According to legend, Guanyin Bodhisattva has been saving sentient beings for countless kalpas, but still seeing the great suffering in the world, he felt compassion and shed two lines of tears. **The tears from the left eye transformed into White Tara, and the tears from the right eye transformed into Green Tara**. White Tara made a vow: "May I grant longevity and wisdom to all living beings, so that they can practice Buddhism and be free from the cycle of reincarnation."

In Tibetan Buddhism, White Tara, Amitayus and Vajrayogini are collectively known as the "Three Deities of Longevity" and are believed to be able to prolong life and eliminate illness and obstacles.

**Symbolism and practice**

- **Seven-eyed Buddha Mother**: White Tara has seven eyes, symbolizing that she can observe the **six realms of sentient beings** and the **Dharma Realm**, and grant wisdom and longevity.

- **White body**: represents purity and peace of mind, can eliminate karma and illness.

- **Holding a lotus**: Symbolizes purity and wisdom, and grants the practitioner blessings and stability.

Practicing the White Tara method can increase lifespan, eliminate obstacles, and help practitioners gain wisdom and blessings. Her mantra "Om Darle Dudarle Dudar Mama Ayubne Janabuchen Guru Soha" is believed to bring longevity and health.

The belief in White Tara is extremely common in Tibet. Many eminent monks and great virtues have practiced her teachings and left behind many prayers and rituals.

**Influence**

1. **Religious practice**: Buddha cards are used in meditation and practice to help practitioners focus on the Dharma and deepen their understanding of Buddhist teachings through visualization.

2. **Cultural inheritance**: Buddha cards carry the art and culture of Tibetan Buddhism, promote cultural exchanges between Han and Tibetan peoples, and enable the outside world to gain a deeper understanding of Tibet’s religious beliefs.

3. **Rituals and Offerings**: In temples and homes, Buddha cards are often hung or offered as part of religious ceremonies, symbolizing piety and respect for Buddhism.

**MEANING**

1. **Wisdom and Compassion**: The Buddha and Bodhisattva in the Buddha card symbolize wisdom and compassion, reminding practitioners to practice Buddhism and treat all living beings with compassion.

2. **Cosmology**: Many Buddhist cards depict mandalas, which represent the structure of the universe and the perfection of Buddhism, and symbolize the harmony between the inner and outer worlds of practitioners.

3. **Karma and reincarnation**: Some Buddhist cards depict the cycle of life and death, reminding practitioners to pay attention to the cause and effect of karma and work hard to be free from reincarnation.

Buddha cards are not only works of art, but also one of the core beliefs of Tibetan Buddhism. Its existence allows practitioners to gain a deeper understanding of Buddhism through visualization, and to maintain their reverence and practice of Buddhism in their daily lives.