Black Tara – The Wrathful Protectress
Black Tara (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Black Tara and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Black Tara (English)
Alternative name: Tro Nyer Chen Ma (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 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. She is associated mainly with enlightened activity and protection. Tara is known for swift action and manifests many miracles through her sacred images in both India and Tibet. This form of Black Tara is from the Chogyur Lingpa Tradition and she is the Tara who protects practitioners from evil spirits, black magic, negative karma and heavy obstacles.
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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Thank you for the sharing, Tibetan Buddhism it is believed that Tara practice was given by Buddha Shakyamuni together with the Vajrayana teachings about the Nature of the Mind and buddhist tantra.
There are a few accounts about the origin of Mother Tara, according to popular belief that Tara came into existence from a tear of Avalokiteshvara, which fell to the ground and formed a lake.
Mother Tara also exists in various other forms and each form having its own symbolism and the form of Black Tara associated with power. The tradition belief, Black Mother Tara who protects practitioners from negative karma, heavy obstacles, evil spirits and black magic.
Tara, the saviouress, is a most popular deity especially among women.The most sought after among the popular 21 forms of Tara are White and Green Tara. However,there are others who are also propitiated in times of need. One of them is Black Tara, whose mantra I had been given to recite for a loved one, when I newly joined Kechara.I believe she successfully cleared some serious obstacles to allow my loved one to move forward. She is most efficacious to protect practitioners (and others) from evil spirits, black magic, negative karma and heavy obstacles.
Black Tara mantra : OM GARMA TARE SARWA SHATDRUM BIGANEN MARA SEHNA HA HA HEH HEH HO HO HUNG HUNG BINADA BINADA PEH
In Hinduism and Buddhism, Great Wisdom goddesses is a female bodhisattva and an important goddess deity in both Buddhism and Hinduism. Goddess Tara is probably the oldest Goddess who is still worshipped extensively in modern times. They are in numerous forms and many colours, widely popular in Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia and known for swift action and manifests many miracles through her sacred images . Black Tara is in a wrathful manifestation, subdues evil spirits and cures any illness caused by them.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.