The Swift Liberator – Arya Tara
Standing Green Tara (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Standing 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 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 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. 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.
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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Arya Tara, also known as Jetsun Dolma in Tibetan Buddhism, is a female Bodhisattva in Mahayana and Vajrayana. She is known as the “mother of liberation” and is the Goddess of peacefulness, long life and protection. She embodies inner and outer peace bringing spiritual clarity and purity to those who seek her help. Arya Tara who symbolizes the activity of all the Buddhas , to work tirelessly to liberate all beings until samsara is emptied. She made her vows to be reborn in a female form again and again. Arya Tara, along with the Dorje Shugden who is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri in this beautiful thangka paints a thousand words.
Thank you for this sharing , its a beautiful thangka.