Can an artwork be a form of medicine? This thangka (Tibetan scroll painting) depicts White Tara, a Buddhist deity associated with healing and long life. Thangkas are traditionally used in meditation and ritual, helping practitioners visualize deities and the qualities they embody. White Tara’s white form signifies healing and the preservation of life force. Around her are other long-life deities, who may be meditated upon to support healing or extend life. In some Buddhist contexts, an image like this is not only a support for meditation—it can also be regarded as a healing object itself. Save this as a starting point for understanding Tibetan and Himalayan art. #WhiteTara #BuddhistArt #MeditationPractice _______ White Tara with Long Life Deities; Tibet; 19th century; Pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, gift of the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation; F1996.32.