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Namgyalma – The Buddhist Goddess of Longevity

Namgyalma Golden Buddha Statue
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Symbolic meaning of Namgyalma

Namgyalma also known as the Ushnishavijaya, in Newari language is a female Buddha of longevity. Namgyalma is known by various other names but the crested Tara in Chinese Buddhism is also one of her renowned names. In Tibetan Buddhism her name means the victorious one with three heads. She is one of the most famous Buddhist goddesses in Tibet, Mongolia and Nepal. She is also believed to be the one who guides the wicked souls to get over their wrong deeds and repent to get enlightened. Namgyalma has been the namesake of Namgyal Monastery, which was built by the third Dalai Lama. She is regarded as the enlightened Buddha who is said to grant people long life, and is counted among the three deities of long life in Tibetan Buddhism, alongside Amitayus and White Tara.

According to the old myth, During the time of Shakyamuni Buddha in the human world there was a deva(god) who was experiencing the symptoms of death. He started to remember his previous lives and see his future lives. However his future lives were going to be on the lower realm. Since at that time of realization he was in higher realm full of enjoyment and happiness than those in lower realm, he didn’t want to be reborn in lower realm.

Looking at his desperate state of mind, he was suggested by the king of gods Indra to visit Shakyamuni Buddha for the way out of it. Following Indra’s lead he came to Buddha and asked for help. In response to his call Buddha manifested him to the guidance of the God of Logetivity, Namgyalma by giving him a special Namgyalma mantra. The mantra was said to be so powerful that reciting the mantra for seven days, the deva was freed from all his karma so that he didn’t need to be reborn in lower realm.

It is believed that practicing her mantras one can get rid of life threatening diseases, increase a life span, increase their wisdom and get rid of evil deeds. The Namgyalma mantra is said to be so powerful that one who hears will never be born from the womb again. The main purpose of this mantra is to purify and release the beings from the lower realm and purify the negative energy.

The Sacred Symbols of Namgyalma: Her Eight Arms and Their Meaning

When you look at a thangka painting of Namgyalma, you will notice she has eight arms. Each arm holds a specific sacred implement, and each one carries deep spiritual meaning.

  • Crossed Vajra — represents indestructible wisdom and the power to cut through ignorance
  • Lotus with Amitabha Buddha — symbolizes purification and the boundless compassion of the Buddha of infinite light
  • Bow and Arrow — shows her ability to strike down obstacles and negativity with precision
  • Noose — represents her power to bind and capture the forces that harm your spiritual progress
  • Long-Life Vase Filled with Nectar — the most important symbol, holding the elixir of immortality and healing

When you meditate on these symbols, you are not just looking at images. You are connecting with ancient spiritual knowledge that Newar artisans in Patan and Lalitpur have preserved for generations. Each thangka painting is hand-painted on cotton or silk canvas by master artists who work only when their spiritual energy is aligned with the task.

I will share some of my own experience here. In our workshop, we have seen how a sacred thangka of namgyalma can transform a meditation space. The detailed imagery naturally draws your mind deeper into focus. This is why thangka paintings are considered powerful meditation gifts—they serve as both an artistic treasure and a spiritual tool.

Namgyalma Golden Buddha Statue – Meditation Gift And Deco Ideas For Family And Friends

$397.00
  • Size is 23cm  height.
  • The statue is partially gold plated body and faces are painted with 24 k gold.
  • Carvings on the body and face are all done by hand by skilled Master Newar Artisans of Nepal.
  • Category:New year Eves Gifts, Meditation Gifts, Unsual Home Buddha Decor.

In stock (can be backordered)

The Namgyalma Mantra: Your Gateway to Long Life and Healing

The mantra associated with Namgyalma is: Om Bhrum Soha Om Amrita Ayur Da Dai Soha. This is not just a string of syllables. Each sound vibrates at a specific frequency that, when recited with intention and clean conduct, can dramatically extend your life and purify negative karma.

But here is the practical truth: reciting the mantra alone is not enough. Buddhist teachers say that when you combine the mantra with the eight precepts—ethical guidelines for living—the results become powerful. So are you in the course of searching for ways to extend your life and heal old wounds? The Namgyalma practice offers a path grounded in ancient tradition.

Many practitioners keep a mala beads near their altar as they chant the mantra. The beads help you count 108 recitations—a sacred number in Buddhism. Some people even place a buddha statue or Tibetan singing bowls in their meditation corner to deepen their practice. The combination of mantra, intention, and sacred objects creates an environment where spiritual transformation becomes real.

Contemporary Namgyalma Practice: A Growing Tradition

What is remarkable is that namgyalma practice is not fading into history—it is growing. In 2025, Buddhist centers across California and North America conducted multiple Namgyalma empowerments and retreats, showing that this ancient practice speaks to modern seekers searching for longevity, healing, and peace.

The Namgyalma Empowerment is a ritual initiation where a qualified teacher passes down the blessings and teachings directly to students. During these empowerments, thangka paintings become focal points for visualization and meditation. Some practitioners also incorporate buddhist supplies like prayer wheels or singing bowls into their daily practice to maintain connection with the deity’s energy.

And the artisans who create these sacred objects? They are continuing work that their families have done for centuries. When you commission a namgyalma thangka or buddha statue, you are supporting Newar artisans whose hands carry forward an unbroken spiritual lineage.

Postures and Gestures

Namgyalma is seen as female bodhisattva in white colour with three heads and eight arms. Even Amitabha Buddha is shown sitting on her upper right palm which represents that her realization is more powerful or equal to that of Amitabha Buddha. Each of her face has different color middle face being white representing the eradication of disasters, yellow head on side representing the longevity of the life and finally blue head representing the defeat of the evil.

She is shown sitting in full vajra posture holding a double dorje and rope on her hands.While her lower right palm is in varada buddha mudra. Her first hand is tilted up and her second hand is grasping a bow. Her lower left hand is shown holding a Kalasha(holy pot) with a blooming flower. In one of her top right hand there resides Amitabha Buddha himself.

Complete your meditation practice with our handcrafted mala beads, traditionally made by Newar artisans in Lalitpur, Nepal.

If you’re looking to bring Namgyalma’s protective energy into your home, explore our handmade Namgyalma Buddha statues or browse our Namgyalma thangka paintings, both crafted by Newar artisans in Lalitpur

FAQs About Namgyalma Practice

What is the best way to set up a Namgyalma meditation space at home?
Create a clean, quiet corner. Place a thangka painting of Namgyalma at eye level. You can add a singing bowl, prayer wheel, or small buddha statue on your altar. Keep mala beads nearby for mantra recitation. The space does not need to be large—even a small shelf with these elements creates a powerful focal point for your daily practice.

How long should I meditate on Namgyalma to see results?
Consistency matters more than duration. Start with 15-20 minutes daily, chanting the mantra while gazing at a thangka painting. Buddhist teachers say that regular practice over weeks and months produces real changes in your energy, health, and spiritual clarity. Some practitioners practice for years and deepen continuously.

Can I meditate on Namgyalma without an empowerment?
Yes, you can begin personal practice by visualizing her and reciting the mantra. However, receiving a formal empowerment from a qualified teacher amplifies the results significantly. An empowerment creates a direct energetic transmission that strengthens your practice in ways that visualization alone cannot match.

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