Tara
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
In 1983, when I was 18 years old, I had the great honor and pleasure to serve His Holiness Kyabje Zong Dorje Chang for over 6 months in Thubten Dhargye Ling Buddhist Center, Los Angeles. Venerable Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen was the spiritual guide in the centre at that time and he had invited His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche to our center, who is his root teacher. Consequently, we had the great honor to receive many teachings from Kyabje Zong Rinpoche throughout those few months. Many people understood the preciousness of Zong Rinpoche’s presence and took the opportunity to visit Zong Rinpoche daily for audiences, divination, questions, blessings and many other reasons.
Out of all of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s followers, there was a Tibetan man named Kelsang, who resided in California. He would come to see Zong Rinpoche and, sometimes helped to cook. It was on one of these occasions that Kelsang brought a Tara tsa tsa to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and requested Zong Rinpoche to bless the tsa tsa for him – so that he would be taking back a consecrated image. I happened to be in the room to witness Zong Rinpoche decline to bless the tsatsa. Zong Rinpoche said that it is not necessary to bless a Tara image. However, Kelsang-la insisted. So, to make him happy, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche did the blessing on the Tara tsa tsa.
When I asked why Zong Rinpoche initially rejected the request from Kelsang-la, Zong Rinpoche explained that Tara’s image is so sacred, so holy and so full of benefit that her body, speech and mind, and anything that has to do with Tara – is so sacred, that no further blessing is necessary. Anything or any image made in the persona of Tara is automatically blessed and does not need to be consecrated.
The high reverence and high respect His Holiness Zong Rinpoche had for the Buddha Tara, for which he did pujas every month and recitations every single day, made me realize that she is totally incredible. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche had a very special place in his heart for this incredible Buddha… A goddess whom we call Tara which means Saviouress. I always remember this story. Although I have always loved Tara myself and had a lot of faith in her… what Zong Rinpoche said and did, increased my level of faith significantly, a couple of notches to the top.
White Tara (centre), peaceful in appearance, with one face and two hands, surrounded by eight Taras and eight vignettes illustrating the overcoming of the eight fears. Click image to enlarge
In the past age, during the time of the past Buddha, Tara was named Dawa Lhamo or Moon Goddess. She was the Princess of a very wealthy king and during that lifetime, she was extremely faithful and very devoted and loyal to the sangha as well as the Buddha. She didn’t want to get married or to have a “princess kind of life”. She was simple, extremely beautiful, very virtuous and very faithful. She would often attend the teachings of the Buddha and because of her wealth, she would always use her resources to take care the needs of the sangha at that time, who were the ordained monks and nuns. The care Dawa Lhamo gave to the sangha include providing them shelter during the rainy season, provide food, robes and medications… whatever the sangha needed at that time. She would do this consistently with the blessings of her father, the king.
One day, when Dawa Lhamo was walking along a path, she chanced upon a very old monk who was not very learned but sincere and pure. This monk had made a statement to Tara saying: “Because of your virtue in sponsoring the sangha, Virtuous Princess, please dedicate that in the future you can take rebirth as a man and you can practice the Dharma as a man because, as a woman, your body is impure and not capable of attaining the highest enlightenment”.
The monk didn’t say this to put her down or to degrade women in any way. The monk really believed that because that was the norm and widely accepted opinion of women during that time – Women were viewed as inferior and not as superior or equal. Since women are considered inferior, their bodies must also be inferior and act as an impediment to achieving enlightenment. That view is the norm of the day at that time. Today, we all know that this is wrong view, we all know that it is incorrect but that is the belief that many ancient societies held in the past.
Upon hearing this statement, the Moon Goddess, Tara-to-be, folded her hands respectfully to the old venerable monk and said: “Venerable monk, what you say is incorrect because the perfect Buddha, the Tathagata, the Sage, the One who has crossed over from samsara has taught that male and the female are exactly the same and their potentials are equal. The female may have slightly more impediment in her physical body in the male society but it does not mean that she is inferior”. So, in front of that holy sangha, that old monk, she vowed to become a fully enlightened Buddha in that very lifetime with her female body, and after enlightenment, she will always predominantly manifest in the female form to benefit sentient beings. In that very life, Dawa Lhamo fulfilled her vows. She had reached very high levels of meditation and meditative absorption and became fully attained in that very lifetime.
Thereafter, she was known to be Tara or Savioress – The one who saves people from different disasters. Ultimately, Tara saves you from the eight main fears, which can be classified as internal and external depending on their source of origin as follows:
| Internal | External |
| Fear of fire (anger): The fire of anger is fanned by the wind of wrongdoing, which is caused by ignorance. | Fear of imprisonment (avarice): Stinginess is viewed as something negative. Negativity binds us in ways that we are incapable of acting positively, keeping us hopelessly trapped in samsara. |
| Fear of lions (pride): As the king of the jungle, the lion looks down on everyone and listen to no one. This pride will isolate us from help and keep us locked in the control of ignorance. | Fear of floods (attachment): Attachment functions like a violent, rushing river that keeps us trapped in the current of samsara, carrying us further and further from the shores of liberation. |
| Fear of elephants (wrath): Ignorance is like a wild, drunken elephant that will not hesitate to trample anyone who gets in his way. | Fear of demons (doubt): Spirits are linked to the darkness. Likewise, doubt is active in the darkness of ignorance. It frightens and confuses and preventing us from progressing towards clarity and wisdom. |
| Fear of snakes (envy): Like a snake, jealousy hides in the darkness of ignorance. Jealousy causes us to poison the “good” of others. | Fear of robbers (wrong views): A thief steals our valuables. Likewise, wrong view steals our opportunity to make any progress on the spiritual path. |
The Eight Great Fears can be interpreted from a few levels beginning with the outer meaning, which are exactly as described and are tangible and can be experienced physically or materially. At a deeper level, the inner meaning relates to passions, ego and emotions. On the deepest level, these fears relate to tantric techniques and philosophies that, when overcome, lead to realizations and enlightenment.
For example, protection from fire on the outer level means that if you solicit and pray to Tara, you will be safe from fire or disasters related to fire or being burnt by a fire. You may think: “What is the big deal these days as we have smoke alarm”, but this was not the case in villages during the olden days where: when it burnt, you really burned. So, protection from fire was a very big deal. When you meditate on Tara on the inner level, it helps to destroy the quality of anger. Fire is likened to anger on the inside. So, on the outside you are protected by Tara from fire while internally, you are protected from anger and from doing actions related to anger. Therefore, solicitation of Tara is very complete as she protects us from outer, inner and secret obstacles.
21 forms of Tara depicted in this artwork
If you observe Tara’s iconography, you will see that there are 21 main forms, but in actuality her emanations are unlimited. Within the 21 forms, you will see many types of Tara. The Tara that Kensur Rinpoche gave me is a White Tara. The form of the White Tara has seven eyes: two on the palms, two on the feet and three on the face. The seven eyes represent she can see into the six realms plus ultimate reality, which is emptiness. Each of her eyes can see into one realm of samsara in which she saves, benefits, helps, assists and emanate for the sake of those beings. The extra third eye she has on her forehead is symbolic of her having penetration to the reality of samsara, meaning she has achieved emptiness… that she is a fully enlightened Buddha with unlimited clairvoyance. Her white body represents the purity of enlightenment, unstained by any soils of samsara. She sits in a meditation pose with her legs fully crossed, meaning by meditation and practice she has achieved full enlightenment. So, she encourages us to do our meditations by her pose. Then, she has two full breasts that are exposed, representing the bliss of enlightenment. Additionally, breasts are meant to feed, to take care of as well as to assist, help and nurture. So, Tara’s exposed breasts means that she will nurture you, take care of you, “feed” you and watch over you like a mother for her only child until you are strong, grown and fully able to stand on your own. This is symbolic that Tara will nurture you until enlightenment, where you can rise and be free of samsara if you rely on her all the way.
Tara’s hair is partially tied up on top with three topknots where the highest one represents achievement of full Nirvana and that she cannot ever fall down in samsara again. The remaining half of her hair flows down her shoulders and back, straight and is blue-black in color, representing that although she is fully enlightened, she is still emanating and active in samsara. Tara’s time and her affinity to sentient beings are not over, enabling her to still help in samsara. Therefore, the half of her hair that is down means she emanates in samsara, while the half of her hair that is tied up represents that she is completely free from samsara. Tara wears five ornaments on her body, which is the crown, necklace, armlets, and anklets. Her body being so beautiful and so incredibly out of this world that no beautiful woman on this planet or in samsara can compare to the beauty of Tara. In fact, the beauty of Tara’s body is said to be so great that her body itself represents the 6th ornament. Hence, the 5 ornaments that she wears together with her body represents six ornaments, symbolizing that Tara has perfected the path of all six paramitas.
A beautiful White Tara Nathang (black thangka)
Paramita is the perfection or culmination of virtues, which are cultivated as a way of purification of karma and accumulation of merit to help aspirant to reach the goal of enlightenment. The six paramitas include giving, moral discipline, patience, effort, contemplation and wisdom.
By practicing, relying and praying to Tara, one can achieve the six paramitas because, we are directly fulfilling the six paramitas. For example, when we make offering to Tara, it is the paramita of giving; When we meditate on Tara, it is the paramita of concentration etc. So by doing the worship of Tara, we are fulfilling the six paramitas. Tara is universal and is free from sects, free from schools of Buddhism and free from labels. Tara is a fully enlightened Buddha. Anyone relying upon her will be blessed, be free of the Eight Great Fears on the inner and outer level. On top of that, you will be able to accomplish lower and higher attainments. Lower attainments include clairvoyance, walking fast, ability to heal and make medicines, control etc. Higher attainments include reaching mahamudra siddhi or gaining full enlightenment.
Therefore, if we wish to do the practice of Tara, you do not need any initiation. You can do the prayer to Tara as written by the first Dalai Lama, which is my favorite.
A Gem to Increase Life and Wisdom
A Praise of White Tara by Gyalwa Gendun Drub, The 1st Dalai Lama
Homage to the Female Buddha beautiful with youth
Who sits on seats of white lotus and moon in nature
Spreading with stainless compassion and knowledge,
Who captures the radiance of snow mountains.Homage to the Youthful One with budding breasts,
Who has one face and two arms, sits in the vajra posture,
Is bold with grace and calm, has a full moon as backrest
And is filled with great bliss.Homage to the Ultimately Generous One whose right hand,
Showing the mudra Supreme Giving
Easily releases boundless karmas of peace, increase, power and wrath
As well as the eight siddhis and even supreme Buddhahood.Homage to the Spiritual Mother who gives birth to Buddhas
Past, present and future; whose left hand
Supporting a blue lotus, grants protection
From lions, elephants, fires and all eight terrors.Homage to the Refuge of the World, who has eyes
In hands and feet gazing at the four doors of freedom
And who leads all living creatures
Toward the isle of blissful liberation.Homage to she whose face unites
The beauty of a million autumn moons,
Whose wide eyes gaze with compassion
Whose Joyous mouth smiles equally on all.Homage to she with head adorned by Amitayus, boundless Life,
The mere thought of whom grants life and wisdom,
Whose hand, in the contemplative mudra,
Hold a vase filled with ambrosia of immortality.Homage to the All-Beautified One whose crown
Steals the light of sun and moon,
Whose sapphire hair is half knotted on top
And half falling freely over her shoulders.Homage to the Majestic One of precious ornament blazing,
Whose crown, earrings, necklaces, arm-bands,
Bracelets, anklets and belt so elegantly arranged
Surpass the ornaments of men and gods.Homage to she of celestial raiment,
Whose shoulder-sash and skirt
Hug her body like rainbows
Hug the crystal mountains.Homage to the goddess before whose lotus feet
Vishnu, Indra, Shiva, Brahma, the antigods, spirits,
Men, semi-humans and all the world
Submit themselves in devotion.Merely by reciting your mantra,
Those who make offerings at your lotus feet
Gain immortality, wisdom and merit
And attain all desired siddhis; to you I bow down.The knowledge, compassion and perfect actions of all Buddhas
Appear in the form of the beautiful goddess
I take refuge in you and offer you my prayers;
Pray eliminate all my obstacles and fulfill all my aims.Quickly release your perfect action of peace,
Calming all interferences to my practices for enlightenment;
Interferences such as the eight terrors,
Sickness, demons and other harmful agents, inner and outer.Quickly release your perfect action of increase which multiplies
All good qualities, such as life, merit, unapprehending compassion,
The stainless wisdoms of learning, contemplation and meditation,
And the three higher trainings.Quickly release your perfect action of power,
Which causes gods, men and spirits
To humbly bow before you
And which fulfils all wishes of the mind.Quickly release your perfect action of wrath,
Which with punishments befitting the evils done
Destroys demons, interferences and hindrances
Hateful opposing Buddhadharma and its holders.Pray, bestow quick and easy attainment of siddhis
Such as the magic sword, mystic eye-medicine, fast-walking,
The food pill and the precious vase,
And even mahamudra, the highest siddhi.In brief, from now until enlightenment
I respectfully make offerings at your lotus feet
I need seek no other refuge
Out of compassion gaze upon me and quickly grant protection.By the meritorious energy of this practice
May the transcended, perfect Tara
Look upon me forever with pleasure
And never leave me, even for a moment.May all sentient beings after death take rebirth
Before Amitayus in Sukavati, Land of Pure Joy,
May they live in the ways of the great Bodhisattvas
And come to equal Avalokiteshvara, Lord of Compassion.May I realise the oceans of Sutras and Tantras
To be able to pass them on to others;
And until samsara be emptied may I strive
To uphold the victory banner of practicing exactly as taught.
Upon completing the above praise to Tara, you can do her short mantra:
OM TARE TUTARE TUREE SOHA
Tara’s mantra, is short but extremely powerful whereby every syllable has a meaning:
- “OM” represents Tara’s enlightened body, speech, and mind.
- “TARE” means one who liberates from suffering.
- “TUTTARE” means one who liberates from the eight fears.
- “TURE” means one who liberates from ignorance with wisdom that brings the true cessation of suffering.
- “SOHA” means may the meaning of the mantra take root in my mind.
Alternatively, or you can do the extended White Tara mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MAMA AYU PUNYE JANA PUTIM KURUYE SOHA
You can do this recitation every single day. You can choose either to recite the short or extended mantra, it is your choice. This practice can be done anywhere, but doing the prayer in front of her image, would be excellent. Tara’s practice will help to increase our life, free us from the Eight Great Fears, and if we want particular obstacles to be removed, it is very good to do Tara’s practice. In fact, in Gaden, Sera and Drepung Monastery, Tara prayers are recited every single day, before debates. Additionally, Tara pujas are done by the whole sangha community and tormas are offered to her in a special ritual called Drolchok on a monthly basis. Therefore, Tara’s practice is very much prevalent in the monasteries because her effects and very quick, blessed and she has very special karma to benefit us.
I thought I would give you a little bit of explanation about Tara. Sometime, we have special beings that do their meditations correctly, hold their vows correctly and they could even be very good monks or nuns. Very good monks and nuns on their own are very blessed and the longer they hold their vows the more and more blessed they become. This is why we respect senior, older monks and nuns very much. It is a privilege to serve older monks and nuns: to wash their clothes, to offer them food, to clean their seat, to carry their bags or to make offerings of water or fulfill other needs of the sangha. Making offerings to the sangha is not special only in Tibetan Buddhism only but it is a practice that is started and implemented by Lord Buddha himself. Therefore the sangha is the third of our refuge because the monastic community are virtuous ones who practice, meditate and focus on the Dharma 24 hours a day all their lives.
Without the sangha, the Dharma cannot exist. Without the Dharma, a Buddha cannot arise. So, Buddha is dependent on the Dharma and the Dharma is dependent on the sangha. Without sangha, there is no Dharma, without Dharma there is no Buddha. Some people may say that there are exceptional lay people who hold the Dharma. Yes, there are exceptional lay people who can hold the Dharma but they don’t create a monastic system where their lineage can be passed on to others. So the lineage can be lost… the practices, teachings and Dharma can be lost. Therefore the sangha community is very important. When you have special sangha who are learned, advanced, highly trained and who hold their vows very well, even a piece of cloth from them is considered very holy. If we have the hair and even nails of these being;, they can be placed inside the stupa as an object of veneration, faith and offering. Therefore, sangha, advanced sangha, senior sangha are very blessed beings for us to serve, to assist, to take care of and, also, to show veneration.
H.E. Kensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Phende
In Shar Gaden Monastery we have an elite, senior and older sangha, his name is Kensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Phende. He is a scholar, a meditation master and an erudite learned person in both sutra and tantra. Kensur Rinpoche received his lineage and practice from the greatest Lamas of Tibet such as His Eminence Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, His Holiness Kyabje Ling Rinpoche. He has received teachings from these great erudite masters, practiced and put it into complete application and received the results. What are the results? Kensur Rinpoche is still a monk, which shows you he has given up attachment to the world. He is practicing a teaching, which shows you his commitment in spreading the Dharma.
Kensur Rinpoche is always happy, smiling and pleasant and delighted to meet anyone who comes to receive his blessings or ask questions, which shows that he has no attachment to himself. So, this is a great master. I have been his friend for over 25 years. He is a friend of mine from Gaden, for which I am humbled to say. At the same time, I respect Kensur Rinpoche very much for being the first abbot of the Shar Gaden Monastery. When our team went to Shar Gaden Monastery, to make some offerings, we had a great honor and pleasure to be able to serve Kensur Rinpoche, to take him for a full medical check up and also improve his medication. It was at this trip that I was able to call him through my team and speak to him directly and request him to give a series of teachings in the monastery. I also requested Kensur Rinpoche to use his meditative ability to extend his life, to live very long for the benefit of others.
A gift from Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Phende
I was extremely honored to receive a special image of White Tara as a gift from Kensur Rinpoche himself. This special image of Tara was taken from Kensur Rinpoche’s personal altar. I wanted to share this White Tara that is double blessed with everyone. Firstly, it is blessed because: it is Tara! As Zong Rinpoche said, if it is an image of Tara, it is so blessed it doesn’t even need to be consecrated. Secondly, it was on the altar of a very holy, senior monk… and it was given to me in that way. I feel very blessed and honored to receive such a great gift. I couldn’t keep such a precious item on my personal alter and selfishly collect all the blessings myself every single day! So I placed this blessed Tara statue in Kechara’s altar in Wisdom Hall, with a label of when she arrived and where she came from together with this blog post about the holiness of this statue. So, if anyone ever comes to Kechara Forest Retreat, please make a beeline path to this image, prepare your khata and make your offering and prostrations and pray for Tara.
I thought I’d share this beautiful image and a little bit of history and story about Tara with everyone. I was inspired by this gift to share about sacred Tara here. Please enjoy it! I wish everybody happiness, long life, excellence, and may everyone sincerely be taken care of by Tara in this life and all future lives.
Sarva Mangalam,
Tsem Rinpoche
Related articles about White Tara
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Thank you so much for your article here.Its good to know from your site.
Wow…..beautiful image of White Tara as a gift from Kensur Rinpoche to our Guru. It’s a blessing just by looking at this beautiful White Tara. Due to Rinpoche ‘s kindness we are able to see it as it is taken from Kensur Rinpoche’s personal altar.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing, explaining a short history and story about Tara with us.
Mantras are sacred verbalized words that invoke the protection and blessings of the deity to whom the mantra is ascribed. Mantras are also the manifestations of Buddhas in the form of ‘sounds’, hence the various mantras of Dorje Shugden contain the essence of the Protector.
Dorje Shugden’s main mantra 多杰雄登主要咒语
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for peace 平和咒语
For gaining attainments through the energy of Peaceful Shugden, peace of environment and mind, harmony in one’s abode and dwelling area, and calming of disasters
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SHANTI SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for health 福寿安康咒语
For long life, increasing life, healing of disease and protection from diseases
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA AYU SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for increase 增长咒语
For gaining great merits and increase of all necessary needs, both material and spiritual
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA PUNYE SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for control 控制咒语
Of worldly deities, negative people and nagas and for influencing friends towards the positive
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA WASHAM KURU HO
Dorje Shugden’s mantra to grant protection 庇护咒语
Visualize that you are in the Protector’s mandala, fully protected from outside interferences. Recite when in danger or for dangerous situations, for protection while travelling or when residing in dangerous/hostile places
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA RAKYA RAKYA HUNG
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1544345059.mp4
Dear friends,
Tibet has produced many powerful meditations, rituals and guidelines to help us gain spiritual protection, gain wisdom and higher states of consciousness. In general Tibet has produced many powerful methods for the growth of our spiritual evolution. Dorje Shugden is an angel, a saint, a powerful spiritual protector-warrior who originated 350 years ago when a highly awakened Tibetan Lama fulfilled his vows to become a special being to grant protection, wisdom, material needs, safety when travelling (normal and astral travel) and spiritual awakening. Both the Great 5th Dalai Lama and the current His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama composed short yet effective prayers to invoke upon the power and blessings of this special saint and protector. One can recite either one of the prayers that you feel suits you, anytime or even daily. When you feel a special need for help, you can recite either prayer anytime. When you are feeling down, afraid or just need a blessing, you can recite them. After reciting either invocation, it is good to chant the mantra of Dorje Shugden: Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.
You do not have to be a Buddhist or practitioner of any religion to invoke upon the blessings and protection of this special enlightened and awakened angel Dorje Shugden. He helps all without discrimination or bias as he is filled with compassion and love. Divinity has no boundaries, they help all who call upon them.
Enclosed are the prayers in English, Chinese and Tibetan.
May you be safe, protected and blessed.
Tsem Rinpoche
More on the Great 5th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2w7KHv6
More on H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2QdaL4n
Chapel (Trode Khangsar) built by the Great 5th Dalai Lama dedicated to Dorje Shugden in Lhasa – https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
—
亲爱的朋友们，
西藏产生了许多有助于我们得到精神庇佑、取得智慧和更高层次之觉悟的强大禅修法、仪式和教诲。总括来说，西藏产生了许多有助于我们在修行上取得提升的强有力方法。多杰雄登是一个天使，一位圣人和一名护法战士。他的崛起始于350年前，当一位高度觉悟的西藏高僧履行本身的承诺，化身为特别的护法，赐予我们守护、智慧、物质需要、出入平安（平日外游和神游时）和灵修上的觉醒。任何人都可以随时随地在任何时候念诵适合自己的祈愿文。当你需要特别的帮助时，你可以随时念诵任何一篇祈愿文。当你感到沮丧、恐惧或仅是需要加持时，你也可以持诵这些祈愿文。在念诵任何祈请文后，你应该接着念诵多杰雄登的心咒：嗡 班杂 维格 毗札那 娑哈 Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha。
要祈请多杰雄登这位特殊、觉悟和觉醒的天使赐予加持和庇佑，你无需是佛教徒或任何宗教的修行者。他总是没有分别或偏见，充满慈悲和慈爱地帮助一切众生。神圣是没有界限的，圣者会帮助有求于他的任何人。
以下附上英文、中文和藏文的祈愿文。
愿你平安，常受庇护和加持。
尊贵的詹杜固仁波切
更多关于第五世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2zsC3tG
更多关于第十四世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2r4aaDN
第五世达赖尊者为多杰雄登护法在拉萨建造的护法殿（布旦康萨）— https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
Divination (‘mo’) Text by Dorje Shugden
This is an important divination (‘mo’) text composed by Dorje Shugden himself. Dorje Shugden took trance of the Choyang Dulzin oracle lama, the senior oracle of Gaden Shartse Monastery, and instantly on the spot composed this text within two hours.
The divination text contains information on how to use dice to do divination for the future and is known to be highly accurate. When practitioners use this text, they will be in direct contact with Dorje Shugden to get answers to questions about the future. It is for those who have good samaya with Dorje Shugden and are free of the eight worldly dharmas to be of benefit to others in divining the future.
Tsem Rinpoche
DS-MO-choyang.pdf
Tara is fully enlightened Buddha. She is well-known as the Mother of Mercy and Compassion. There are 21 major forms of Tara in Tibetan Buddhism. Each has iconography and in certain colour and energy to benefit anyone who asks for her assistance. Green Tara represents swift activity. White Tara represents pacification of diseases and longevity. Yellow Tara represents increase and abundance in inner and outer wealth, Red Tara represents the activity of control and power while Blur or Black Tara represents wrathful activity.
Practicing Tara, we are protected from The Eight Great Fear. These fears are not only limited to the physical person and the fears presented in physical world. In a deeper meaning, fears are related to passions, ego and negative emotional characteristics. When we mediate on Tara on the inner level, it helps to overcome and destroy these negative qualities that hold us in samsara.
Tara wears 5 ornaments on her body, and together with her body represents 6 ornaments, symbolizing that Tara has perfected the path of 6 paramitas. The 6 paramitas is paramitas of giving, moral discipline, patience, effort, contemplatation and wisdom. When we do Tara practise, our actions such as making offering is fulfilling paramitas of giving, holding vows is fulfilling paramitas of moral discipline and so on. Therefore, doing Tara practise is directly fulfilling the 6 paramitas.
Tara vowed to always manifest in the female form to benefit sentient beings. During ruling time of The emperor of Tibet Songtsen Gampo, he was the first to bring Buddhism to Tibet. He had two 2 queens who were manifestation of Tara. His Nepalese wife, Princess Bhrikuti was believed as incarnations of Green Tara and his Chinese Wife Princess Wencheng was incarnation of White Tara. Both queens played crucial roles in the adoption of Buddhism in Tibet.
Be blessed with these rare videos featuring explanation and advice about Dorje Shugden practice by His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in his own voice. The teaching was requested by Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the earliest masters who taught Tibetan Buddhism in the West.
Video 1: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Explains Dorje Shugden Initiation and Benefits (With English Subtitles)
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet. At the request of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Tibetan Buddhism in America, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives clear explanation and advice about the life-entrustment initiation of Dorje Shugden and how to go about the practice and get the maximum benefits in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzFMvlxAqtc&feature=youtu.be
Video 2: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche speaks on the History and Lineage of Dorje Shugden (With English Subtitles)
In this video, an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche talks about the incarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden and how the practice arose, with examples of Dorje Shugden’s previous lives that reveal his powerful spiritual attainments and contributions. This very rare teaching was given at the request of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s student, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Buddhism in the West to many disciples since the 1970s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIzKSJgK618&feature=youtu.be
For more information: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/kyabje-zong-rinpoches-advice-on-dorje-shugdens-practice.html
His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama
Tibetans commonly refer to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama as the “sun and moon” of Tibetan Buddhism. They are the center of Tibetan Buddhist civilization, which draws to its sphere of influence millions of non-Tibetan practitioners. The Panchen Lama’s incarnation line began with the 16th abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570 – 1662). He was bestowed the title of Panchen Lama by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama after being declared as an emanation of Amitabha.
After being given the title, his three previous incarnations were posthumously also bestowed the title, making Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen the 4th Panchen Lama. He became a teacher to many Tibetans, Bhutanese and Mongolian religious figures, including His Holiness the 4th and 5th Dalai Lamas, and the 1st Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. A prolific author, Chokyi Gyeltsen is credited with over a hundred compositions, including a number of commentaries and ritual texts that remain central in the Gelukpa tradition today. Along with his role as a teacher of the Dharma, the Panchen Lamas are usually responsible for the recognition of the rebirths of the Dalai Lamas, and vice versa.
The 10th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Trinley Lhundrub Chokyi Gyeltsen (19 February 1938 – 28 January 1989) continued both the spiritual and political roles of his predecessors. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, his contemporary, was even heard to say and echo the Panchen Lama’s own words that the Dalai Lama would safeguard Tibet from the outside while the Panchen Lama would safeguard Tibet from the inside, as he never left Tibet after the political troubles of 1959. He was truly loved by the Tibetans, all the way until his passing. When he taught, thousands of people would attend, not only from his own Gelug lineage, but masters and practitioners from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
At his sprawling monastery of Tashi Lhunpo, he has a special chapel specifically dedicated to Dorje Shugden, where prayers and rituals are performed on a daily basis. In his great omniscience the Panchen Lama held Dorje Shugden as the principal Dharma protector of the monastery. He also personally propitiated Dorje Shugden among other Dharma protectors, and even wrote extensive prayers and rituals to Dorje Shugden. These rituals and prayers are contained within his ‘sung bum’ or collected works, which are provided here. As such a great lama, with an erudite and clear understanding of the Buddhist scriptures, a teacher to millions in both Tibet and China, from an established incarnation line and an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, he could not be mistaken about his practice of Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama is known for his composition of commentaries and practice texts that are still in use by contemporary Buddhist practitioners both in Tibet and across the world. One of these is a powerful ritual composition propitiating the compassionate Dorje Shugden.
Upon the request by Acharya Lobsang Jangchub to compose a shorter version of the prayer (sadhana) for the exhortation of activities of Dorje Shugden, Panchen Lama immediately composed an abbreviate form of Dorje Shugden’s Kangsol. This text is entitled “Manjunatha’s (Tsongkapa) Lineage protector Dorje Shugden and five forms wrathful propitiations and confessional prayers and fulfilment of activities rites” or “Melodious sound of Accomplishment of the Four Activities” for short. Once the prayers were completed, he had signs and strong feelings that Dorje Shugden has been working hard to protect the Buddhadharma in general and the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa specifically.
Mirroring the abilities of one of his earlier incarnations, Khedrub Je, a disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa and master of both sutra and tantra, the Panchen Lama used his compositional skill and poetic prowess to create a masterful sadhana. Worthy of note is a praise in which the first letter of each verse is a Tibetan vowel. Such compositions are rarely seen, and have historically only been used when propitiating senior Dharma protectors such as Palden Lhamo and Kalarupa.
The Panchen Lama also stated that while composing the Dorje Shugden sadhana (prayers) he was filled with a sense of happiness and bliss. He ends the composition with not only his official title but his ordination name, Tenzin Trinley Jigme Choje Wangchuk, endorsing the validity of his work. He composed the sadhana in his own Tashi Lhunpo monastery while in the Hall of Clear Light and Bliss.
See the Panchen Lama’s writings and download: https://bit.ly/2KIfeXb
For the first time available, Dorje Shugden and his entourage of 32 assistants of his mandala.
Dorje Shugden is a powerful protector deity who is also an emanation of Manjushri, a wisdom bestowing Buddha. Therefore, he has great ability to help us to progress further on the spiritual path. He does this by helping us to overcome obstacles and problems for the modern individual.
Due to his enlightened nature, Dorje Shugden is able to manifest 32 deities and within the same abode resides Setrap and Kache Marpo:-
1. 5 Dorje Shugden families or emanations. They consists of the following:-
– Dulzin Dorje Shugden, which performs activities to eliminate inner and outer obstacles.
– Shize, which performs activities to pacify all illnesses and disease.
– Gyenze, which performs activities to increase all desirable material and spiritual wealth.
– Wangze, which performs activities to control difficult people and circumstances.
– Trakze, which performs activities to wrathfully eliminate all insurmountable obstacles and life-threatening situations.
2. 9 Mothers. They represent protection of the five senses and developing control of the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.
3. 8 Guiding Monks. They represent the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, Kshitigarbha, Akashagarbha, Sarva-nivarana-viskambini) and they bring about the growth of the Dharma, through the Sangha, Dharma practitioners and Dharma establishments.
4. 10 Youthful & Wrathful Attendants. They represent the ten wrathful attendants to avert inner and outer obstacles. They are beings who are from Mongolia, China, Kashmir, India, Bengali, etc.
5. Setrap. He is a senior Dharma Protector from India and an emanation of Amitabha Buddha. He had enthroned Dorje Shugden as an authentic Dharma Protector. Therefore, he also resides within the same mandala of Dorje Shugden.
6. Kache Marpo. He is not an emanation of Dorje Shugden but he is still an enlightened Dharma Protector in his own right. He was originally known as Tsiu Marpo of Samye Monastery. However, he has placed himself under the service of Dorje Shugden as his chief minister, performing many activities in order to protect and benefit practitioners. Therefore, he stands guard at the main entrance of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. He often takes trance of qualified mediums to speak.
7. Namkar Barzin. He is the reincarnation of an old Mongolian monk and when he passed away in Phari area of Tibet, his spirit was placed as a powerful assistant of Dorje Shugden. He guards and protects buildings and great institutions especially those that benefit others. He rides on a mythical Gyaling animal that resembles a goat but with scales.
These sacred images are available on *Vajrasecrets. They are made of high quality alloy and are one of a kind. They are based on the lineage of His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s monastery, Tashilhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet. In fact, the iconography of these statues are based on detailed photographs taken by H. E. Tsem Rinpoche during a trip to Tashilhunpo’s protector chapel. These are based exactly as the 10th Panchen Lama’s personal collection.
Dorje Shugden mandala: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=131570
Dorje Shugden’s benefit and practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62422
Dorje Shugden’s origins: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=106424
Dorje Shugden chapel in His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=68698
*Stand not included
Sakya tradition’s thangka of Dorje Shugden sitting on a throne within his palace with his four emanations and high Sakya Lamas nearby. Tsem Rinpoche
Antique Pelden Lhamo thangka with sacred Dorje Shugden at the bottom right. Can see Tsongkapa and Guru Rinpoche on the top also. Beautiful and holy.
This incredible White Tara was discovered in Indonesia. It is said to be 800 years old and made by Nagarjuna. A local person Mr. Supriyono dreamed of a bluish red dragon surrounding the village and splashing down into the well before finding Her. This beautiful White Tara was discovered in Indonesia. See video: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96dW0Ms1oR0
Great message every Tibetan especially must read!
Tara images is incredible and beautiful to see. I always love to see beautiful images anywhere if i happen to see one wisdom hall, Kechara Forest retreat ,at shopping complex and so forth.I am glad to know about Tara with much understanding from this post.By practicing this powerful practice it will help to increase our life, free us from the Eight Great Fears and to remove outer, inner and secret obstacles.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these article on compassionate Tara.
Wow…Kensur Rinpoche’s White Tara gift to Rinpoche is indeed beautiful and stunning from what i saw . Thanks again Rinpoche for sharing this beautiful blessed Tara statue with us.
Although Tara is not my most favourite Buddha but I do have a great fascination for her because she is so fast, manifests a lot of signs for her practitioners and always manifesting through statues and visions. She seems to be the one always guiding the great masters of India and Tibet.
For some karmic reason, she has tremendous connection with us. This is not to mention her benevolent female form is attractive, meditative and draws you into her practice. It is one of those great practices that has profound benefits for those of all levels of practice. I believe both the indian and Tibetan source has plenty of stories of how Tara had come to the rescue or something like that.
Tara is traditionally worshiped as a lower tantric deity as how the great indian and Tibetan siddhas wrote in the sadhanas. However, Takpu Gargyi Wanpo developed a unique highest yoga tantric form of her practice that enabled practitioners to derive powerful attainments. This unique lineage has since become widespread within the Gelug tradition. In the end, it is enlightenment that we seek and through Tara, she bestows a powerful path for all world-be bodhisattvas.
Today is Mother’s day, i wish every single mom Happy Mother’s Day. I felt that every single Mother is just like an emanation of White Tara, showing boundless care and love for their children, always stay by the side when they are sick and not well. They could sacrifice everything, including their life for the sake of her children and family.
I would like to thank Tsem Rinpoche and DS too always showing lots of care and love, especially when i was sick, Rinpoche and DS will always gives blessed water and blessed rice to heal my body, i’m grateful to be able to meet Rinpoche and DS in this life.
I pray that every “Tara Mother” lives healthy, long life, and most importantly with a happy mind, and always blessed by Mother Tara.
Thank you Rinpoche for this very interesting article on the beautiful compassionate Tara, the savioress, who is ever ready to swiftly come to our aid at all times.
She fulfilled her vow to become enlightened in one lifetime in her female form ,thus showing compassionately that having a female form was not a deterrence at all for achieving the ultimate goal of Buddhahood. It also shows that norms are man-made.Anything that is man-made and imbued with prejudice will soon be proven wrong.
In the past as Dawo Lhamo, she was a wealthy princess, and very faithful and devoted to Lord Buddha and to the Sangha.She would often attend teachings of Lord Buddha and used her wealth unrestrainedly to take care of the needs of the sangha consistently.
As Zong Rinpoche has shown us, Tara’s image is sacred, and needs no further blessing and does not need any consecration.
As the savioress, Tara saves you from eight main fears, both internal and external.These 8 Fears are the fear of fire(external) and the fear of anger(internal), the fear of lions(external) and the fear of pride(internal), the fear of elephants(external) and the fear of wrath (internal), the fear of snakes (external) and the fear of envy(internal), the fear of imprisonment (external)and the fear of avarice(internal), the fear of floods (external) and the fear of attachment(internal), the fear of demons(external) and the fear of doubt(internal), the fear of robbers(external) and the fear of wrong view(internal). To illustrate this, take for example, the fear of robbers -like a robber who steals our valuables, so too does wrong view steal our opportunity to make progress on the spiritual path.
On the deepest level,these fears relate to tantric techniques and philosophies that, when overcome, lead to realizations and enlightenment.Therefore the protection that we receive from Tara is complete, as she protects us from our inner, outer and secret obstacles.
Tara is presented in 21 forms in her iconography, but in actuality ,she manifests in innumerable forms. In her iconography her two full breast are symbolic of her nurturing you until full enlightenment, when you will be totally free of samsara.
Tara wears five ornaments on her body, which is the crown, necklace, armlets, and anklets. Her body being so beautiful and so incredibly out of this world that no beautiful woman on this planet or in samsara can compare to the beauty of Tara. In fact, the beauty of Tara’s body is said to be so great that her body itself represents the 6th ornament. Together these six represent the Six Perfections – giving, ethics, patience, joyous effort, concentration and wisdom.Hence they signify that Tara has attained the Six Perfections.
Last but not least, it was a wonderfully beautiful offering that Kensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Phende made to Tsem Rinpoche -the White Tara statue from his own altar.
I love this article on Tara. The explaination is very simple.clear and complete. Especially about the 8 fears. It’s very good for reference. I always feel that i can easily connect with Mother Tara. Thank you very much Rinpoche for this Tara teachings._/\_
This is like a 101 course on Tara. All the relevant facts but not too overwhelming. Great for people like me who get overwhelmed by more profound articles.
love the explanation of the 8 Great Fears. Before, I used to wonder about the fear of Fire, Snakes, Elephants and Lions. When we read, we understand as opposed to just looking at the thangkas and images without understanding at all and asking why is the Buddha half dressed etc.
Another thing to note is that comparison is made to the image of Tara and the respect one must have for the Sangha in that as Tara’s body itself is one of the 6 Perfections, the sangha as a representation of the Buddha dharma is worthy of veneration.
“Without sangha, there is no Dharma, without Dharma there is no Buddha.”
Thank you, Rinpoche for this precious traching.
Tsem Rinpoche has worked very hard over the years to provide accurate and important information about Dorje Shugden to dispel the malicious disinformation spread about the Protector. It is fantastic that Rinpoche’s efforts have translated into many people such as the commenter seeing the beauty in Dorje Shugden’s practice. Also Suzy has an interesting opinion about why His Holiness banned the practice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl-4lIwxph4&t=11s
I like the story how Tara vowed to emanate as female body in her every reincarnation to ease others’ sufferings. Tara used her actions and result to prove the wrong views of that ancient time was wrong.
Personally I respect and like Kensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Phende a lot. The few of us had the great opportunity to serve Kensur Rinpoche for weeks in India due to the kindness of Tsem Rinpoche few years back. I witnessed how Kensur Rinpoche is so humble, simple and extremely holy.
Kensur Rinpoche was the one who spoke up and be firm in his Dorje Shugden practice despite the ban and led Shar Gaden and become their first abbot. The ban did not waver his faith. I remember how Kensur Rinpoche shared his story about how he fought for Shar Gaden in the beginning of the ban. The hardship and difficulties Kensur Rinpoche had to gone through during that time was beyond imagination yet He was so determined. The monks in Shar Gaden should always remember the kindness of this holy Kensur Rinpoche. _/||\_
Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa, TibetOver 400 years ago a great and learned lama Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was famed in Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal and China for being very saintly and compassionate. He resided in his residence (Zimkhang Gongma Ladrang) in Drepung Monastery. His root guru was H.H. the Omniscient 4th Panchen Lama and his close dharma brother was the 5th Dalai Lama.
The 5th Dalai Lama and Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen had a very close and dharmic relationship and often went to receive teachings together from the 4th Panchen Lama. They were close in age. They both became very learned and well known. During this time, the Dalai Lama was enthroned as a Dharma King of Tibet. But more people went to see Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen for teachings, initiations and divinations. This made the attendants of the 5th Dalai Lama feel threatened that Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s fame might usurp the power of the 5th Dalai Lama. So they had a khata forced down his throat. At that moment, Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen dissolved his psychic winds and generated the wish to be a great guardian of Buddha and Tsongkapa’s teachings. As his consciousness dissolved, he entered ‘bardo’ as a dharma protector of the highest order (jikten depey sungma). Many signs were seen throughout Lhasa at this time and the earth was said to have shaken in Lhasa. This event was already predicted to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s previous incarnation when he was one of the 8 main disciples of Lord Tsongkapa the Supreme Master and he served Tsongkapa directly by building Gaden Monastery.
When the 5th Dalai Lama heard what his scheming and power-hungry attendants had done, he was very distressed. He was very sorry Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was murdered and dishonored as he was a great dharma master. The 5th Dalai Lama composed an apology to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen. In Lhasa, tens of thousands gathered for the cremation of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s holy body. During the cremation, the 5th Dalai Lama’s apology was read out at which flames spontaneously arose from the body of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen commencing the cremation. From the body, during cremation, a powerful whirlwind of smoke tunneled into the sky for all to see as this was an indication Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s consciousness has arisen as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. The Dharma Protector Setrap immediately recognized this new protector Dorje Shugden and ‘enthroned’ him as a powerful Dharma Protector in the realm of the Buddhas. From this, Setrap and Dorje Shugden are closely connected and very close working hand in hand always. After the cremation, the great 5th Dalai Lama built a Dorje Shugden chapel on the spot the cremation took place and named it Trode Khangsar. The 5th Dalai Lama commissioned the statue of Dorje Shugden in this chapel and had monks installed in the chapel to do continuous propitiations to Dorje Shugden. Trode Khangsar Chapel was a commemoration to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who was wronged and also a celebration of his consciousness arising as the World Peace Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.
This Trode Khangsar Chapel still exists now in Lhasa where many make pilgrimages there. It is in good condition and was recently renovated. It is over 400 years old and a testimony to the respect the Great 5th Dalai Lama had to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who arose as Dorje Shugden.
I have visited this holy chapel in Lhasa years back. I’ve never heard of it till I was in Lhasa and by chance, I was told about it which I was happy to visit. I could not find the place but strangely a bunch of pilgrims from Amdo told me they would show me how to get there in Lhasa.
This short video is a short clip of this holy Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa today commemorating Dorje Shugden, built by the great 5th Dalai Lama. The great 5th Dalai Lama even composed a prayer to Dorje Shugden which is still available today and we can recite to invoke the blessings, protection, and assistance of World Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.
Tsem Rinpoche
Read more: Trode Khangsar – A 400-year-old Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/trode-khangsar-%E2%80%93-a-400-year-old-dorje-shugden-chapel-in-lhasa.html
Short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTybDwTeLAM
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The 5th Dalai Lama’s Prayer to Dorje ShugdenHUM
Though unmoving from the sphere of primordial spontaneity,
With wrathful turbulent power, swifter than lightning,
Endowed with heroic courage to judge good and bad,
I invite you with faith, please come to this place!
Robes of a monk, crown adorned with rhinoceros leather hat,
Right hand holds ornate club, left holds a human heart,
Riding various mounts such as nagas and garudas,
Who subdues the mamos of the charnel grounds, praise to you!
Samaya substances, offerings and torma, outer, inner and secret,
Favourite visual offerings and various objects are arranged.
Although, previously, my wishes were a bit dense,
Do not stop your powerful apparitions, I reveal and confess!
Now respectfully praising with body, speech, and mind,
For us, the masters, disciples, benefactors and entourages,
Provide the good and avert the bad!
Bring increase like the waxing moon in spiritual and temporal realms!
Moreover, swiftly accomplishing all wishes,
According to our prayers, bestow the supreme effortlessly!
And like the jewel that bestows all wishes,
Always protect us with the Three Jewels!
From: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/the-5th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden
Tibetan prayer from: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/the-14th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden.html
Buddha Tara is so magnificent. Tara has tremendous benefits. She became enlightened as a woman. As she is enlightened there is no limit to her forms.
Here is the meaning of her holy mantra:
OM – Tara’s enlightened body, speech and mind.
TARA – One who liberates from suffering.
TUTTARA – One who liberates from the eight fears.
TURE – One who liberates from ignorance with wisdom, the true cessation of suffering.
SOHA – May the meaning of this mantra take root in my mind.
Thank You,
I bow down to your holiness Tsem Rinpoche. The teachings are so gr8 and inspiring. Thank you Rinpoche la… _/\_
All manifestations of the enlightened mind and Tara is ever more so, why?
As Tara made an additional vow to be a buddha in female form lifetime after lifetime, how fabulous is that?
Dear Rinpoche,
It was really interesting to red these information on Tara in this blog post. I was really fascinated and amazed at how amazing Tara truly was. Now, I actually can’t believe how lucky my family is to have all 21 forms of Tara on our alter. I thank my grandmother for giving it to my brother as a birthday present; a really awesome gift indeed. 😀
I enjoyed reading up on Tara. Thank you for posting this Rinpoche. _/|\_
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing your special image of white Tara received as a gift specially from Kensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsung Phende. As said, this white Tara image taken out from Kensur Rinpoche’s altar is being double blessed because it is an image of Tara and so it is automatically blessed, and doesn’t need to be consecrated. Simultaneously, it was taken from the altar of “a very holy, senior monk”…..which anybody receiving such a very blessed honorable holy gift will automatically be receiving all blessings. Therefore,it should be fitting to be placed in Kechara’s altar in the wisdom hall of Kechara Forest Retreat! So if anyone visiting KFR and making a beeline path to this image with a Khata to make offerings, prostrations and prayers to Tara, will be collecting all merits deserving of him/her! As said by Rinpoche, he is sharing this beautiful meritorious image and a little history with a story about Tara with everyone for their personal benefit! Rinpoche has very graciously extended to everyone his best wishes for everybody’s happiness, long life, excellence and, may their life be taken care of by Tara in this and all future lives! Om mani Padme Hung.
Dear Ripoche,
Until today i didn’t realise the true essence of Tara statue and the effects and power of her blessings. Though we are very fortunate to be with those Tara images and statues, it was not much effect unless we understood the complete and true story about Tara. Thank you so much Rinpoche _/\_. I got the much better understanding on Mother tara. So privileged to have met such a rare dharma.
谢谢仁波切分享了如何和白度母结缘的故事。从中让我认识了百度母的由来他的名字,她的神圣,她的美丽与慈悲，她的法相每个身体部分都带有特殊的意思，她也能够帮助我们面对及远离8种内在与外在的恐惧，她的心咒的意思。这个故事也让我知道男女都是平等，只要肯努力修行且成佛和SANGHA是非常神圣及重要。（之前我对百度母的感觉普通，但是看了这个文章觉得她非常的美丽与神圣。）
感谢仁波切的慈悲，在此展示了由H.E. Kensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Phende赠送给仁波切～如此庄严与完美的白度母像来利益与加持大家（此白度母的佛像被开放在克切拉禪修林里的智慧殿）。由此也带出了这篇关于度母的博文。
在这之前，生为女儿身的我，以前总会想起为什么在今世里，我不是个男儿身？！而当时的想法是，如果我生为男儿身，我应该可以做更多和一些女生不能做到的事情。
但这篇博文给了我很大的信心与启发~原来生为女儿身并不是件坏事。因为在博文里有提到，Dawa Lhamo在那一世就以女儿身登上证悟之道。我想，如果当时没有Dawa Lhamo 的慈悲与坚持，那会有今天的度母呈现出来救渡众生呢？
有了这个前例，如果我们加倍努力与持续的遵守六度般若密-布施、持戒、忍辱、精进、禅定、智慧，朝着这正确的方向坚持下去，就如当时的Dawa Lhamo，要达到证悟并非不可能的事情。
在这娑婆世界，每个有生命的生物，不是孤立的，但却是互相牵连的。就如上师所提到的：“没有僧伽，就没有佛法。没有佛法，佛陀就不会出现。”因此，我们要尽信三宝，得到三宝的加持，赶上证悟之道。
Thank you very much, Rinpoche for sharing this blog post with us. The teachings of Buddha Tara’s iconography and benefit of the Great Tara’s practice is in depth and comprehensive. Buddha Tara is the hallmark of men and women are equal when it comes to the potential to achieve enlightenment.
From this blog post and as guided by Pastor Adeline during blog chat sharing session, we learnt the importance of Buddha Tara in our lineage through Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s view. This is important as it is part of our lineage.
Thank you very much Rinpoche for sharing this valuable teaching with us.
Sincerely and humbly,
Stella
Thank you Rinpoche for giving us the opportunity to pay homage and receive blessings from this holy Tara at Wisdom Hall,Kechara Forest Retreat. Her mantra is extremely calming and relaxing,which I really enjoyed reciting. May those who recite her mantra gain peace and harmony in their lives.
As the mother of all the Buddhas,she is incredibly superior.powerful and compassionate.
Thank You Rinpoche.
The practice of Tara is so powerful and not limited in merely granting us long life when we are doing the White Tara practice as highlighted in the article. Tara’s practice is complete as She grants us both mundane and supramundane wishes and attainments.
It is particularly important for us to understand the 3 levels of interpretation for the Eight Great Fears: outer, deepr and deepest that protect us from inner, outer and secret obstacles. It also means that any practice of the enlightenment beings can also be interpreted with these 3 levels.
Generally, people are more interested in learning of the outer benefits as they are more convinced in the tangible results. It means they want something practical and useful that can benefit them directly. Although it is true that the Tara’s practice bestow that, but it will be waste for us to remain at that level.
By knowing and understanding the next 2 levels, it is even more practical in which if we understand, aware and practice in that sense, we will be enlightenment and our abilities will be unlimited in helping ourselves and others, allowing unlimited possibilities for all the good things to come our way.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
谢谢仁波切的分享
在以前的时代是父权世代，男人身体才可以成佛。但是Dawa Lhamo公主切不认同，她跟僧人发愿，Dawa Lhamo公主说她会成佛是于女人的身体来成佛。佛法是平等,不管你是男人身体还是女人身体只要好好修行一样可以成佛。
Dawa Lhamo公主实现他的誓言于女人的身体成佛，成为度母。
修行度母可以让我们远离内在与外在8种恐惧然，圆满心意。达到证悟。
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing this inspiring Tara’s story.
I have inspired that Dawa Lhamo, she is a princess at that time and she always use her resources to take care the needs of the sangha.
And she vowed to become fully enlightened Buddha to benefit sentient beings with her female form. If anyone relying upon her will be blessed and to be free of the Eight Great Fears on the inner and outer level.
I love Tara because she looks graceful and kind. 🙂 _/\_
Thank you.
謝謝師父分享關於白度母的故事
這故事讓我理解到白度母在成佛以前就一直的以身作則,只要是能力所及的都會去幫助有需要的出家人,因為沒出家人就沒佛法,沒佛法就沒人能夠成佛.
谢谢仁波切的分享，我现在才了解度母外在的8恐惧里的‘耐心’才是我们修持的重点。因为如果我们没有了这一点，对身边的人，事和物都会漠视。我们常常会对很多事情例如：情感，金钱，知识（包括佛法）和 时间等等爱无能助，冷眼相看，给自己诸多藉口都是显现自己耐心的不够。希望自己能够培养更好的耐心往自己的学佛努力。
Thank you Rinpoche for your post on Tara. This is the greatest article i read about holy tara. With your kind sharing now I have better understanding that Tara able to help us get rib of 8 type inner & outer fears etc… Tara also act like our mother she will take care us , guide us until achieve enlightenment if we practice with very sincere heart. With Rinpoche’s explanation on Tara it really gain my confidence n faith toward her.I must share the great things of Tara by chant her mantra to peoples around me.
Thank you. With folded hand.
Jimmy tan
Thank you, Rinpoche for contiuous sharing the Dharma and this time were the benefits and knowledge of Green Tara and White Tara. I would not know so much about Buddhism, as all I know previously, as simple and ignorant by putting incense and hopes my requests will be granted, but it is not. All I come close, is to know more by surfing Rinpoche blogs and to gained more knowledge, therein by that, I am hoping to eliminates my own poisons.
Dear Rinpoche,
Without Sangha, there is no Dharma, without Dharma there is no Buddha. This is a most beautiful White Tara statue from the personal shrine of Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Phende. How fortunate we are to be able to pay homage to her in Wisdom Hall!
Thank You Rinpoche for giving us access to all this information on Buddha Tara! May we be blessed and protected always.
It was so blessed to read about this article and Rinpoche teaching about mother Tara. Not doubt mother Tara is so powerful and helping people in danger and overcome their obstacle in life threatening.
Many year ago before meet H.E.Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, I was working as a cook at restaurant. One of my colleague was having bad car accident and went in coma more than a week.Doctor has said he might not be awake I was concern about his safety and request help through friend asking Rinpoche for divination. The result of divination is to recite mother Tara holy mantra and blow to the person and call his name to awake him. When I received her holy mantra, without knowing much about mother Tara, I went to hospital together with my colleague mother reciting holy mother for help to awake my friend. The miracle happen at the second day after what we did at hospital,my friend is awake from coma. That is my first counter how powerful by recite mother Tara and saving people awake in the coma. Although so many year ago, I never forget this incident case.
Thank you Pastor Chia for this. Looks like Mother Tara can be invoked easily as compared to other Buddhas. This was again proved the sharing from Julia.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the story of Tara and explaining the 8 fears, 6 ornaments and the significant of Tara’s body. I remember the first time i recited Tara mantra was when I prayed for my brother who’s in coma in the hospital. Every day I do that and blew to the 10 thousands of candles and incense that I offer to Tara to ask Tara for help. On top of that many Kechara siblings were doing White Tara mantra for him. My brother woke up right after I offered up all the candles.
Rinpoche always say all Buddhas are powerful. How fast the Buddha comes to help us depends on our affinity with this Buddha. I am grateful that at that time I have very strong faith with Rinpoche although I newly know Rinpoche. Also because of that I followed through Rinpoche’s instructions and make offerings after offerings for my brother. Tara saved my brother’s life. But without Rinpoche, I do not know Tara. Without Rinpoche I do not know about making offerings can collect merits for my brother and literally saved his life. Without Rinpoche I may not be practicing Dharma today. When I look back it seems impossible for someone like me to even chant a holy mantra but I make it.
Manifestation of Tara proved to me that enlightenment is possible for everyone. Enlightenment depends on our mind and our determination not our body.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the picture of the holy Tara. May we all be blessed with the condition that we can always make offerings to the Shanga by Buddha Mother Tara and achieve enlightenment in this life time.
This is such a wonderful teaching on mother Tara who is being practiced by all Tibetan Buddhists regardless of their sect and lineage, and regardless of their gender. Buddhism practices should be so instead of comparing which practice is ‘better’, which lineage is more ‘superior’, who is the ‘higher’ lama, which dharma centre is ‘bigger,’ which dharma protector is ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Whatever dharma practices my lama gives me is for me to walk my spiritual path.
“She vowed to become a fully enlightened Buddha in that very lifetime with her female body, and after enlightenment, she will always predominantly manifest in the female form to benefit sentient beings. In that very life, Dawa Lhamo fulfilled her vows. She had reached very high levels of meditation and meditative absorption and became fully attained in that very lifetime.”
Wow! I love this story. Tara show us that whatever you want to do, you can do it.
Nothing is impossible!
How fortunate are we to have a such a beautiful and Blessed Tara in Wisdom Hall and to bless all who come and visit. Thank you Rinpoche!
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the story and iconography of Tara. I especially like the explaination by Zong Rinpoche that Tara image is os sacred that no further blessing is necessary. I totally believe in Zong Rinpoche. Just like what Rinpoche has explained about the iconography, Tara’s body represent the 6 paramitas, the virtues to reach enlightenment. By looking or thinking of Tara’s image and remember the 6 paramitas, this is a very great blessing already.
Thank you Rinpoche,
Khoo
It’s indeed a double blessing of the Tara statue that Rinpoche received from Kensur Rinpoche as explained by Rinpoche.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this precious teaching about Tara. It really a great benefit for one to practice as we are protected from the 8 great fears (internal and external fears). By holding our vows and diligently do Tara practice we can achieve lower and higher attainment. The benefits of Tara practice encompasses all that we need for enlightenment.
Rinpoce explaination on the important of sangha is really make sense as without sangha, there is no Dharma, without Dharma there is no Buddha. It’s important for us to show our gratitude to the sangha members as they have hold their vows 24/7 and is an inspiration for us to do so.
How fortunate and blessed we are to be able to view this holy statue. Thank you Rinpoche for making it possible for all of us.
My first introduction to the vast pantheon of Tibetan Buddhism divinities was Tara. I remember Rinpoche advicing me that I should embrace Tara practice. That started our shopping expedition all over New Delhi looking for a Tara statue to bring home to KL. Rinpoche also gave me Tara incense and a postcard size of Tara which I still keep dearly.
Thank u so much sharing pic and talk on Tara’s. Most beautiful.
Hi , i am pretty much interested in Tara. Hardly can see red Tara.
The most popular are Green Tara & White Tara . My favorite is Green Tara ^.^ I hope the Green Tara will Bless me & smooth sailing life with Happiness
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such beautiful story about Tara.
And I’m thrilled to learn that you have placed such blessed and holy Tara statue @ KFR Wisdom Hall! I’m so excited that I’ll get to see such blessed Tara statue one day in near future!
Thank you again for your selflessness Rinpoche, that I’d like to let you know that you’ve inspired me in so many ways through your teachings and through your selfless actions. That I know with you as an example, I’ll arrived at pure land filled with happiness joy and eternal peace.
Tara <3 Thank you for sharing Rinpoche! 🙂
"Wide-eyed Mother, Protector of the three
worlds!
Mother producing all the three times' Buddhas!
Though You move not from the state of non-dual
Gnosis,
Your power of Compassion works diverse good
for migrators.
I bow in homage to You, O kindly Mother!"
Lady Tara!!!!!! Very happy that Rinpoche was gifted a White Tara statue from Kensur Rinpoche. May it be the cause for Rinpoche to live long and continue to turn the Wheel of Dharma. Thank you for sharing with us the image here so that we can venerate or pay homage to this White Tara mentally and hopefully I have the great fortune to view it in person.
When I think of Tara, there’s three things are in my mind. First I am very fortunate to have received a White Tara mini statue from Rinpoche last year too. I was extremely thrilled. Very happy that I can do my prayers (including the prayer composed by the First Dalai Lama as shared by Rinpoche in this article) daily in front of Tara. Secondly, is because of Bradley! Bradley posted many many prayers on Tara (not too long ago) composed by many erudite Masters. Due to his strong affinity with Tara, I have another great fortune to read some of the prayers too. The last one being the White Tara mantra bank project by Kechara. I hope many will join in to pray for our Guru’s long life. Your mantra deposits in the White Tara Mantra Bank will help prolong H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s life so that Rinpoche can continue to turn the wheel of Dharma. Click here to join http://www.kechara.com/rinpoche/white-tara-mantra-bank-project/
Thank you.
Haha Thanks Jacinta Goh, I’ll be happy to share more items when, I come across more. 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed the prayers I posted.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you so much for sharing the story of Dawa Lhamo, which can motivate us to have more faith in Mother Tara. I sincerely wish whoever recites Tara’s prayer and mantra will gain realization and attainment in a faster speed upon learning about the benefits of Tara’s practice, the iconography of Tara and understand the meaning of Tara’s mantra in a deeper level. The explanation and description of Tara given by Rinpoche is easy to follow and understand, that can benefit many practitioners from around the world.
Thank you Rinpoche for your kindness and compassion towards all sentient beings.
With folded hands,
kin hoe
Yay i love Tara too. She is just so lovely and lovable even in her pictures, the real Tara must be incredible. I like her. She is a cool female buddha and nice to read about her lovely qualities. I am a very fearful person and I pay respects to Tara almost daily.
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing
I love White Tara very much. May this teaching eliminate our 8 Fears and lead us to enlightenment.
Thank you
Wylfred
Thank you Rinpoche again for the teaching on Tara.
I like all the Buddhas but the Buddha that i love the most is White Tara.
There is another post by Rinpoche about Tara is https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/art-architecture/spectacular-white-tara.html
White Tara is the Buddha who brought me to Kechara and meet with my Guru.
Thank you Rinpoche for the teaching and hope that many will get connected with Dharma and Tara by reading this 2 teaching on Tara
Thank you
Dearest Rinpoche,
Thank you so much for this wonderful post on the supremely beautiful White Tara. I really love the White Tara Nathang and Mandala. With folded hands.
So moving. Thank You.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for this post on Buddha Tara. I especially love the story of how as Dawa Lhamo, she vowed to become a fully enlightened Buddha in that very lifetime with her female body, and after enlightenment, she will always predominantly manifest in the female form to benefit sentient beings. In that very life, Dawa Lhamo fulfilled her vows. What an inspiring story and how blessed we are to even hear her name. The Praise to White Tara will be added to my collection of your earlier post on the Praise to the 21 Taras. Could she be one of the earliest example of the Women’s Liberation movement?, LOL. I will definitely make it a point to offer a kata to the blessed image of holy Tara on my next vita to the Kechara Forest Retreat.
The Sangha including the hardworking Sangha members of Kechara should receive support of the Kechara community. You lead the way by example by always providing resources and support to the aging members of the sangha in Gaden Monastery. We take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and should never forget that Sangha members can only accomplish what they set out to do with our support.
Humbly,
Yee Ling