Question asked by Jason
on the blog you mentioned that there are many lines of tara practice. the two indian ones and many terma lines. My question is which line is more accurate or to be more exact which one is the one the buddha taught. Why are there so may lines? why are there so many mantras for the same bodhisattva, is one mantra better than the other. If the mantra is given by the buddha or the bodhisattva shouldn't the mantras be the same why so many variations. (Are the variations a corruption of the dharma).
Dear Jason,
You are right, there are many lines of Tara practice. The reason why there are many lines is because Tara, as an enlightened being, manifests her practice is different ways to suit the abilities, needs and collective karma of practitioners in slightly different ways. If you can trace the practice back to an authentic source, i.e. Buddha Shakyamuni, and the lineage of practice is intact, the practice will definitely have benefit. The mantras will also be just as effective as each other, they are all emanations of Tara in the form of sound.
For example, when we talk about Tara we are most commonly referring to Green Tara. However there are many other forms of Tara such as White Tara, Yellow Tara, Red Tara, etc. In fact there is a famous Praise to the 21 Taras, which lists 21 different forms of the Buddha Tara. It is on the Prayers and Sadhana page. Here is the link: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/sadhana-prayers.html#17
However, if there is a break in the lineage, and you cannot trace the source of the practice, then most likely there would be some corruption of the Dharma. That is why at the beginning of any teaching, the Lama or teacher will always explain the lineage of the teachings. This is to show that the practice is indeed an authentic Buddhist practice, as well as to invoke the blessings of the particular lineage of practice.