Green Tara — the figure of swift compassion
The interior of the bowl shows Green Tara seated on a lotus throne in her dynamic posture: one leg folded, the other extended, her right hand in the gesture of generosity and her left holding a lotus blossom. The open posture and extended leg symbolise her readiness to act immediately for protection, the removal of fear and the clearing of obstacles. The inner wall carries eight medallions with the traditional Eight Auspicious Symbols, alongside dharma wheels, endless knots, lotus motifs and bands of Tibetan mantras. The outside of the bowl is covered with cloud and wave motifs, circular mantra panels and ornamental borders. The underside features a stylised OM syllable at the centre surrounded by concentric mantra rings.
The sound of the bronze bowl
The bowl is made of a bronze alloy of copper, tin and trace amounts of other metals (Ag, Ni, Cd, Ru, Pd, Pt, Cr, Mn). This composition gives the bowl its rich, deeply resonant tone — the sound sustains for a long time, and you will feel the vibration if you listen close by. It is shaped by hand-hammering: metal discs are heated, stacked and hammered by experienced artisans until the desired form emerges. Each bowl therefore varies slightly in size and shape — which is what makes it individual. After shaping, the bowl is chiseled and polished, resulting in a durable, harmonious instrument for both ritual use and sound therapy.
Size and use
The bowl is 25-28 cm in diameter and weighs around 1800-2500 g. Its size and tone make it suitable for home meditation, sound therapy or practical sound work. Note that hand-made bowls are sorted by weight, so the diameter is an approximate indication. The bowl is particularly well suited to meditation on resilience, healing and purposeful action, since the Green Tara image represents precisely those qualities.
The painting process
The interior deity image and the decorative elements are first etched with a high-powered laser, and then carefully hand-painted by thanka artists. The interior therefore receives a unique, hand-finished surface. The striker must be ordered separately — so you can choose the type and size best suited to your purpose (a wooden striker gives a warmer, softer tone; a leather-covered striker gives a richer, deeper tone).