Taras Who Protect From the Eight Fears
Green Tara and the Eight Taras (Main figures)
Click on image to enlarge
(Top to bottom): Green Tara, Eight Taras and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Arya Tara (Sanskrit)
Alternative names: Green Tara (English); Shyama Tara (Sanskrit); Drolma (Tibetan); Droljang (Tibetan)
Tara is known as Jetsun Drolma in Tibetan and she is a very important figure in Tibetan Buddhism. She is known as the ‘saviouress’ and is also considered the embodiment of the activity of all the Buddhas. In the Tara Tantras, it is said that she was a Bodhisattva disciple of the Buddha of another world system. Her name was Yeshe Dawa and she had deep faith in the Buddha of that world system and made tremendous offerings to him. She also went to receive teachings and engaged in deep meditations as well. At one time, she received a special teaching on the development of Bodhicitta – the infinitely compassionate mental state of a Bodhisattva.
After the teachings, some monks approached her and suggested that because of her level of attainments, she should pray to be reborn as a male to progress further in her next life. She contemplated their words and told the monks that it is only the “ignorant minded” who see gender as a barrier to attaining enlightenment. Nevertheless, she realised that there have been few who have developed the aspiration to work for the welfare of sentient beings in a female form. Therefore, she made the aspiration to be reborn in a female form, again and again, to work tirelessly to liberate all beings until samsara is emptied. She then remained in a state of meditation and perceiving her supreme aspiration, the Buddha prophesied that she would manifest enlightenment and be known as the Goddess Tara.
In the ancient text known as the Praise to the 21 Taras, Tara is said to have emanated in 21 main forms. The most popular of these forms are the Green and White Taras. Green Tara is considered the main emanation and associated mainly with enlightened activity and protection, and White Tara is associated with the pacification of inner and outer illnesses. She is known to have been particularly close to a large number of great Indian and Tibetan masters like Atisha, Shakya Shri Bhadra and so forth. With her right leg extended in her ever-readiness to assist, Tara is known for swift action and manifests many miracles through her sacred images in both India and Tibet.
Deities: Taras Who Protect From the Eight Fears (English)
The Eight Taras to the sides of the main Tara image depict the eight types of fears or dangers that may potentially endanger or derail the spiritual path of a practitioner. The basis of these fears come from a particular Sutra called “The Sutra of Tara Who Protects from the Eight Fears” which, in Sanskrit, is known as the “Tara Sṭaghoratarani Sutra”.
The Eight Fears contain both an inner and outer meaning:
- Tara who saves from water or drowning represents desirous attachment.
- Tara who saves from thieves represents false views.
- Tara who saves from hungry lions represents pride.
- Tara who saves from venomous snakes or serpents represents jealousy.
- Tara who saves from fire represents anger.
- Tara who saves from spirits or flesh-eating demons represents doubt.
- Tara who saves from captivity or imprisonment represents greed.
- Tara who saves from elephants represents ignorance.
Through the practice of worshipping Tara, we are able to purify the karma of receiving harm from these eight fears and their associated inner delusions. Thus, Tara is able to liberate us from all fear.
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Rudra (Sanskrit)
Dorje Shugden is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. He took the form of a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings, especially the important teachings on the Middle Way View. Reminiscent of Manjushri’s form, Dorje Shugden carries a meandering sword and rides a snowlion that represents the fearlessness of a fully enlightened Buddha. Thus, he has great strength to overcome obstacles of the body, speech and mind, and create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish. Furthermore, he carries a jewel-spitting mongoose and a vajra hook to symbolise that he has the tremendous ability to bestow wealth and resources.
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This article has given me a very good knowledge of understanding about Green Tara closer. I would like to share my experience of sighting a youthful and playful goddess of action, Green Tara recently.
It was a Monday morning, I was surprised and I felt very much blessed to have a beautiful poster of Green Tara in 21 main forms on my work desk. I was very much grateful and thankful to receive it has a gift from one of my colleague. Well I discovered that Green Tara is commonly thought to be Buddha of compassion and action, a protector who comes to our aid to relieve us of physical, emotional and spiritual suffering.
Today, I came to know very well about her present and wish to start to saying her powerful mantra” Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha” to overcome my difficulties and to fulfill my dreams.
Thank you for your wonderful thoughts of sharing the gracefulness of Green Tara.??
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