Ushnisha Vijaya

18th century. Lama Temple, Beijing

The ushnisha is the topknot or protuberance on top of Buddha's head, that signifies his cosmic wisdom (compare: an 11c statue from Bihar in the Calcutta Museum). Ushnisha Vijaya is therefore a goddess who personifies the victory of Buddha's wisdom. Less abstractly, she is a goddess of longevity, along with White Tara and Amitayus (see previous page).