GJPaw Auctions is very pleased to offer a very rare and beautiful Tibetan Thangka or devotional painting depicting Green Tara and Amitabha. A thangka is a devotional image representing the most sacred aspects of the Tibetan Buddhist religion and are used as an aid and focus for meditation and devotional practices. The word “thangka”, means “that which can be rolled up”; the name originated because itinerant monks traveling in Tibet could carry them easily to use as teaching tools. Thangka paintings are the visual expression of the fully awakened state of enlightenment, this being the ultimate goal of the Buddhist spiritual path. That's why a thangka is sometimes called 'the roadmap to enlightenment'. This very rare and beautiful painted (tson-tang) example is pigment on cloth and depicts the goddess Tara with Amitabha. The goddess of universal compassion, Tara represents virtuous and enlightened action. It is said that her compassion for living beings is stronger than a mother's love for her children. She also brings about longevity, protects earthly travel, and guards her followers on their spiritual journey to enlightenment, while Amitabha Buddha reigns over Sukhavati, the western paradise, also called the Pure Land. The thangka measures 23 inches wide by 35.5 inches high. (58.4 cm by 90.1 cm). It is generally in good condition and shows wear consistent with a dating to the late 18th century, including usage from being constantly rolled up with some pigmentation loss (see detailed images.) A superb collector’s piece, it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity as an addition to any collection of Tibetan or Buddhist art.