Three Buddhist Deities of Healing and Longevity: White Tara, Amitayus, and Namgyalma
In Buddhist Tantra, long life is considered a vital spiritual function. Some deities are regarded only for their capacity to extend life, while others can serve multiple roles, such as healing, guiding meditation (ishtadevata), or purifying obstacles. In Tantric Buddhism, the idea of “long life” and “healing” isn’t seen as completely separate. A practice meant to extend life can also bring about healing, while healing rituals may in turn support longevity. Alongside these, there are also practices focused on purification and cleansing, which remove obstacles and negativity from the body and mind.
Among the various deities associated with this activity, three are particularly well-known and regularly invoked: Amitayus Buddha, White Tara, and Namgyalma (Ushnishavijaya). Together, they are known as the "Three Long-Life Deities." In paintings, they are typically shown in their most recognized iconographic forms. Amitayus is red, with one face and two arms; White Tara is white, with one face and two arms; and Namgyalma is white, but unique, with three faces and eight arms. Though each of these deities can take on additional forms, such as consorts, various colors, or numerous faces and arms, these kinds of variations are rarely seen when they appear together as a trio.
Amitayus, White Tara, and Namgyalma are grouped as a unified set, which is unique to Tibetan culture. Over time, this triad has emerged as the most visible and extensively depicted manifestation of longevity in Tantric Buddhist practice and art.
White Tara: Compassionate Deity of Healing and Long Life
White Tara, also known as Sita Tara in Sanskrit and Drolma Karmo (Drolkar) in Tibetan, is regarded as the divine mother of all Buddhas. She symbolizes the feminine principle of compassion: caring, protecting, and infinitely patient. Her bright white hue is more than just beautiful; it represents the purity of truth, the clarity of wisdom, and the ideal qualities of awakened consciousness.
In Vajrayana practice, she is revered as one of the Three Long-Life Deities, together with Amitayus and Namgyalma. Her role extends beyond granting longevity; she heals, protects, and guides beings through both mental and physical suffering, giving them the strength to grow towards enlightenment. Many consider her a manifestation of awakened knowledge and compassion, representing the divine essence of the mother.
In sacred art, White Tara is shown as tranquil and bright, reclining on a lotus and moon disc. Her right hand is extended in a gesture of supreme generosity, while her left gently holds a white lotus stem with petals representing the Buddhas of the past, present, and future. Her seven eyes on her face, hands, and feet reflect her all-seeing awareness and commitment to witness the suffering of all beings. She is adorned with various jewel ornaments and sits in a meditative posture, representing both elegance and transcendence.
The mantra
"OM TARE TUTTARE TURE AMA AYUH-PUNYA JNANA-PUSTIM KURU SVAHA"
is said with devotion to invoke her blessings of health, wisdom, and longevity.
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Amitayus: The Buddha of Infinite Life, Longevity, and Healing
In Vajrayāna Buddhism, Buddha Amitābha in his sambhogakāya form is referred to as Buddha Amitāyus, ‘The Buddha of Boundless Life.’ Amitāyus is associated with longevity and the blessing of prolonging life. He presides over the pure world of Aparimitagunasamchaya (Amitavyūhavatī), which is typically depicted in the apparitional Buddha form (sambhogakaya).
Sacred art depicts Amitāyus with a glowing red body, representing life and pristine awareness. He has one tranquil face, two hands resting in meditation, and compassion-filled eyes that look at all sentient creatures. Above his hands is a long-life vase filled with the nectar of immortality, which represents both spiritual and physical vitality. He sits in the vajra position with a kind, compassionate smile, adorned in jewelry and flowing silks, with his hair tied in elegant tufts, representing the essence of eternal life and awakened awareness.
Practitioners use the mantra
"OM AMARANI JIWANTIYE SOHA"
for longevity, healing, and the removal of obstacles that shorten life.
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Namgyalma: The Buddhist Dakini of Long Life, Purification, and Healing
Namgyalma (also known as Ushnisa Vijaya) is a well-known Tibetan Buddhist goddess who represents longevity and purification. Namgyalma is said to have originated from Buddha Amitabha's enlightened action, when he manifested her as a healing deity to help sentient people overcome both physical and spiritual suffering. She is also closely associated with the wisdom dakini Vajrayogini, who represents the transformational force of compassion and purity.
She is frequently seen with three faces: white, yellow, and blue. Eight arms, each holding a symbolic object that purifies negative karma, protects health, and encourages spiritual longevity. Her practice is often invoked to heal physical and spiritual illnesses as well as to cleanse the mind and environment.
In art, Namgyalma is shown with several faces and arms, each bearing strong meanings. She bears a double vajra representing indestructible truth, a lotus with Buddha Amitābha seated on it, a bow and arrow for directed energy, and a vase containing the nectar of immortality. Some of her hands form movements of generosity, protection, and meditation. She is richly adorned with jewels and silks and sits in the vajra posture, calm yet majestic.
Namgyalma's Long Life Mantra is
"OM BHRUM SOHA OM AMRITA AYUR DA DAI SOHA".
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Read More about Namgyalma as one of the Three Bodhisattva of Long Life alongside White Tara and Amitayus Buddha.
Invoking Namgyalma, White Tara, and Amitayus: A Buddhist Long Life Practice for Healing
Long Life Practice (Skt. āyuḥsādhana; Tib. tsé drup) is an essential part of Vajrayāna Buddhism. These traditions combine mantra, visualization, and ritual to help people live longer lives. They are centered on the Three Deities of Long Life Amitayus, White Tara, and Namgyalma; they each symbolize unique qualities of longevity, healing, and spiritual protection.
The White Tara Long Life Practice focuses on prayers, offerings, and meditation to connect with White Tara's compassionate energy. Devotees seek her guidance to overcome physical and mental challenges, promoting calm, resilience, and well-being. Practicing with White Tara is seen as harmonizing with her protective blessings.
Amitayus' Long Life Practice emphasizes visualization and mantra recitation, particularly the chant "Om A Ma Ra Ni Dzi Wan Ti Ye Soha." Practitioners imagine Amitayus in his brilliant red form, representing unlimited life and knowledge. Rituals may involve hand movements (mudras), prayers, and offerings to gain his blessings of vitality, longevity, and more spiritual insight.
Namgyalma Long Life Practice is widespread across all Vajrayāna traditions. Devotees use mantras and dhāraṇī to evoke her power for longevity and protection. Rituals frequently involve prayers, prostrations, and offerings. Through this practice, devotees seek Namgyalma's strength to conquer challenges, eradicate negative karma, and protect their life force.
What does "long-life sādhanā" mean?
In Vajrayāna, a long-life sādhanā is a structured practice that uses refuge and bodhicitta, deity visualization, mantra/dhāraṇī recitation, offerings, and dedication to increase longevity, remove obstacles, and strengthen vitality for oneself or others. It's a well-established practice category that focuses on longevity deities.
Amitāyus, White Tārā, and Uṣṇīṣavijayā are commonly referred to as the "Three Long-Life Deities" in Tibetan art and rituals. They are frequently displayed and practiced together.
By deity: how the sādhanā appears in practice?
Amitāyus Buddha: Visualize red Amitāyus holding the long-life vase and recite his mantra. Request the nectar of immortality to cleanse life-shortening karma and restore life energy. Tibetan lineages preserve several Amitāyus sādhanās, such as Chimé Soktik in the Dudjom Tersar and Lotsawa House, which presents daily Amitāyus sādhanā material. Some cycles contain enlarged forms, such as a Nine-Deity Amitāyus mandala.
White Tara: White Tārā sādhanās emphasize compassion and purification through uncertain death. Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik (Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, 1855) is a classic Tibetan cycle that includes a brief daily exercise. Lotsawa House offers a Concise White Tārā Sādhana that follows the traditional format (refuge, emptiness, visualization, mantra).
Namgyalma (Uṣṇīṣavijayā): Her practice focuses on longevity and cleansing, particularly the Uṣṇīṣavijayā dhāraṇī. Tibetan canons preserve several connected scriptures, and many groups still practice their long-life ceremonies
Conclusion:
The activities honoring White Tara, Amitayus, and Namgyalma remind us that in Buddhism, longevity is never desired for its own sake, but rather to increase insight, compassion, and the path to enlightenment. Long life and healing are inseparable, supporting each other as part of the broader goal of spiritual development. Practitioners open themselves up to the benefits of these three deities through visualization, mantra recitation, offerings, and meditation, gaining not only health and protection but also mental clarity and spiritual resilience.
Ultimately, the Three Long-Life Deities represent the union of compassion, knowledge, and spiritual power. By engaging in their practices, followers learn to remove barriers, promote vitality, and prolong the time and energy required to walk the Dharma path, transforming longevity into a precious chance for enlightenment.