A thangka depicting a white Tara, Tibet, 19th century, The female Buddha of longevity with the right hand in varadamudrā “the gesture of granting boons”, the other holds with the thumb and forefinger the stem of a white utpala. The white utpala (lotus) supports a book which refers to the Bodhisattva Prajñāpāramitā, or simply prajñā, “perfection of wisdom” which represents the last of the “six perfections” (ṣaṭpāramitā) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 17). The back of the Bodhisattva supported by a moon, seated in the vajrāsana posture. At the top are three Nyingma lamas are depicted. The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism (the other three being the Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug) and literally means "ancient". At the bottom, two Bodhisattvas including the four-armed Caturbhuja Avalokiteśvara. In the centre, the protective "wrathful deity" Mahākāla surrounded by flames. 85x52cm,