The Powerful Saviouress – Green Tara
Green Tara (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Four-Armed Chenrezig, Green Tara 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.
Deity: Four-Armed Chenrezig (English)
Alternative names: Chenrezig Chagzhipa (Tibetan); Chaturbhuja Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit)
Chenrezig’s sacred name literally means the “All-Seeing Lord”. He is regarded as the embodiment of compassion and his divine presence is invoked through his well-known six syllable mantra, OM MANI PADME HUM. His most commonly depicted form has four arms that represent the “Four Immeasurables” of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and perfect equanimity.
With two of his hands folded at his heart, he holds a blue wish-granting gem, symbolising the great compassion of all Buddhas. With his other right hand, he holds aloft a mala of 108 beads, representing his ability to guide all beings on the path to liberation. With his other left hand he holds aloft the stem of an immaculate lotus, indicating that he is unstained by samsara and he has great compassion. Chenrezig’s practice is excellent for those who are angersome as his practice lessens anger and also for those who suffer from depression.
Furthermore, Chenrezig is deeply connected with Tara as according to legend, Tara was born from the tears of Chenrezig, who cried as he tried to liberate sentient beings but the karma of sentient beings was too overwhelming. Thus, Tara is said to have arisen from Chenrezig’s tears in order to assist him in his compassionate actions.
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 Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this wonderful explaination and benefits of Mother Green Tara practice. May Mother Green Tara remove all obstacles for Rinpoche’s dharma work and health to progress swiftly and smoothly. May all Rinpoche’s wishes come true for Kechara Forest Retreat to manifest smoothly and swiftly. May Rinpoche’s spiritual journey be smooth sailing. May all of us be blessed to remain close with Rinpoche to support Rinpoche’s dharma works in present and future lifetimes. ??☘️??