This Red Tara statue was made in Nepal by Saroj Shakya using the lost-wax method. Cast in copper and fully gilded in 24k gold with an antique finish, the surface has a soft, settled luster that highlights the engraved lines in the robes and ornaments. The face is painted in gold with fine, precise lines around the eyes and lips.

“Tara wears a crown studded with the gems of the five buddha families, and she is adorned with the other jeweled ornaments and silken garments of the sambhogakaya deities. These ornaments are the crown, ear-rings, three lengths of necklaces, bracelets, armlets and anklets. The silken garments include a long stole, a brocade bolero, pendants hanging from the crown and a short skirt. Tara's sambhogakaya garb symbolizes her enjoyment of the full wealth of pure perceptions. The ornaments and garments are worn perfectly, yet merely as adornments of her nonattachment.

She is radiant, smiling and very beautiful. Half of her hair is in a knot at the crown of her head, expressing the gathering of all perfect qualities into the ushnisha, the spherical protrusion that is one of the marks of enlightened body. Half of her hair flows down her back, expressing the boundless freedom of uncontrived, intrinsic awareness. Her three eyes symbolize her embodiment of the three kayas.

Her right hand, in the gesture of supreme generosity, holds a long-life vase. Supreme generosity means the bestowal of the supreme realization of enlightenment. However, it in no way excludes ordinary generosity, protection from the eight great fears or the manifestation of whatever we need for temporary happiness and well-being. In particular, the long-life vase Tara holds indicates that she offers whatever is necessary to sustain long life.”

— Chagdud Khadro, Red Tara Commentary, pp. 27–29

Details

• Height: 8.75 in (22.2 cm)
• Width: 7 in (17.8 cm)
• Length/Depth: 4.25 in (10.8 cm)
• Base metal: Copper
• Finish: Full 24k gold gilding with antique finish
• Origin: Nepal
• Artist: Saroj Shakya