Twenty-one Emanations of Taras

Praises to the Twenty-One Taras is a traditional prayer in Tibetan Buddhism to the female Bodhisattva Tara (also known as Arya Tara, or Jetsun Dolma) 

The prayer is found in all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Each of the twenty-one emanations of Tara has her own name, and a specific mantra with which she is associated, offering protection from various types of fears, harm, and calamities.

The iconographical traditions

The various authors of the commentary tradition often placed a special emphasis on the iconography of each of the 21 forms of Tara, describing her colour, seat, posture, number of faces and arms, implements and hand gesture. The iconographical descriptions in the commentaries may not always correspond to the description of the Taras in the Praises to the 21 Taras. There are three main iconographic traditions that formed in Tibet.

Suryagupta Tradition

Depicting the 21 Taras as differing in all details such as posture, number of heads and hands, colour, implements and hand gestures.

Nagarjuna and Atisha’s tradition

In which the 21 Taras are rarely distinguished except by colour, peaceful or wrathful expression, and the colour of the vessel that each holds in the left hand.

The Nyingma Terma tradition of Jigme Lingpa and Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

Depicting them as in Nagarjuna and Atisha’s tradition, but of different colours and holding individual emblems on top of the lotus in the left hand, rather than vessels. Jikme Lingpa’s and Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa’s tradition differ only slightly from each other.

The individual of the Twenty-one Emanations of Tara based on Nyingma Terma traditions:

1. Tara, who is swift and courageous for development of Bodhichitta
2. Tara, who is melodious for knowledge and wisdom (i.e. Sarasvati)
3. Tara, who grants supreme merit for the force of merit
4. Tara, who is completely victorious for long life (i.e. Ushnishavijaya)
5. Tara, Kurukulla for magnetising people and wealth
6. Tara, who causes terror for destroying the power of harmful influences (i.e. Vajravidarana)
7. Tara, who is invincible for protection from hailstorms and lightning
8. Tara, triumphant over others for repelling blame
   
9. Tara of the Khadira Forest for protection from the eight great fears. (She is the main Tara, green in colour)
10. Tara, who conquers the three worlds to have power over the world
11. Tara, who bestows wealth for dispelling poverty and granting good fortune
12. Tara, who brings auspiciousness for the auspiciousness of children, fame, rain and so on
13. Tara, who destroys the power of enemies for victory in war
14. Tara, furrowing Brow for protection from spirits
15. Tara, who is perfect peace  for purifying harmful actions
16. Tara, who is ablaze with light for dispelling spells and negative effects
17. Tara of limitless subjugation for protection from robbers, thieves, animals and hunters
18. Tara, majestic as the Great Peahen to protect from and neutralize poison
19. Tara, who is unconquerable and victorious for protection from quarrels and bad dreams (i.e. Sitatapatra)
20. Tara, Dweller in the mountains for protection from epidemics
21. Tara, ‘Rays of Light for restoring the spirits and energies of sick people (i.e. Marichi)

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Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.

Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.

Lamp Aspiration Prayer

Lamp Aspiration Prayer (from the Tsok Offering - A Rain of Blessings) 

By The Fourteenth Karmapa, Tekchok Dorje.

Recite the hundred-syllable mantra, oṃ Vajra sattva. Then the assembled Vajra brothers and sisters should hold lamps and recite the following with a single voice:

Om Ah Hung

Dechen dewé kyilkhor dampa di

In this joyous and sacred mandala of great bliss

Dak sok ngo mnn zangpo le drelwe

We are all connected through noble aspirations of the past

Dorje che cham dir tsok tamche kyi

As Vajra brothers and sisters, all gathered for the feast

Ngo jor cho trin zangpo lek sham shing

With gifts, perfectly arranged as offering clouds

lhak sam mo lo gya cher pel che ne

Multiplied and made vast through positive intent and imagination

Sonam yeshe tsok chen rab sak te

To gather perfectly vast stores of merit and wisdom

Monlam di tu ma ong chime du

Through the power of this aspiration, when in the future

Bardo trul nang sam de tongwe tse

We see the delusory appearances of the Bardo, beyond imagining

Ying rik osel ma bu ngo tro ne

May mother and child luminosities of space and awareness unite

Ngang trak jikpa dralwe o lam la

And on the path of light with its terrifying sights and sounds

Chomden o pak me kyi dun ne su

May the Buddha Amitabha, “Boundless Light”, lead the way

Chang sem khor tsok gyatso gyab ne kyor

As a vast retinue of bodhisattvas support us from behind

Jik rung khorwe yang sa lam drol ne

Then, saved from saṃsara's terrible abyss

Dechen pemo kope shying kham su

May we be reborn in the heart of a lotus flower

Peme nyingpor trung shing sangye jel

In the blissful land of Lotus Array, there to meet the Buddhas

Dampe cho tob sa lam tar chin ne

Receive the sacred Dharma, and complete the paths and stages

Dzok sangye tob kha nyam sem chen kun

Once perfectly awakened, may we become great guides

Ring min de ne dewar go nupe

Capable of leading all beings, as infinite as space

Depon chenpor daknyi gyurwar shok

Swiftly, from one blissful state to another

Sherab yeshe salwe dronme di

May this lamp of discerning and primordial wisdom

Lei nyon drip nyi mania Rab sells shying

Banish entirely the darkness of karmic and emotional veils

Yang dak lam gyi nangwa cher gye ne

Greatly enhance the light of the pure, authentic path

Ten de gyalsar gope dronmer shok

And illuminate the way to the kingdom of everlasting bliss

When you have made this prayer of aspiration, offer the lamp to the recipients in front. Compose by the 14th Karmapa at his great seat of Akanistha Tsurphu.

Dana (Donations for our Buddhist research and development) 

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in the year 2008, we had been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 13 years.  We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or funding from people in general. 

Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come. 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.

Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.

Lamps Lighting Offering

Offering butter lamps are deeply ingrained in the Tibetan tradition and sometimes as many as 10,000 are offered. Butter lamps may be offered for many occasions. Lighting butter lamps represent relief from suffering and provides you with a guiding light to find enlightenment.

The butter lamps help to focus the mind and aid meditation. According to the Root tantra of Cakrasaṃvara Tantra, "If you wish for sublime realization, offer hundreds of lights". The Pilgrims also supply lamp oil to gain merit. Externally, the lights are seen to banish darkness.

What does butter lamp symbolize? 

Light is the source of goodness and the ultimate reality, and it accompanies transcendence into the Nirvana of Buddhist doctrine. It is the sun, and it is the avenger of evil forces and darkness. Light is knowledge. Purity and morality are connected terms as well.

Butter lamps are a conspicuous feature of Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries throughout the Himalayas. Each morning Tibetans offer a lighted butter lamp, representing the illumination of wisdom, along with seven bowls containing pure water before the images on their household shrine.

Why do we offer light to Buddha and enlightened beings?
The act further honors the Triple Gem (the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha), deepening one's commitment to the Buddha's path. Material offerings might be imbued with the following symbology: the lighting of a candle or an oil lamp represents the light of wisdom illuminating the darkness of ignorance.

The tradition of offering lamps lighting

Since Buddha Shakyamuni attained enlightenment 2,500 years ago and dispelled the darkness of ignorance that obscures the mind’s true nature, lamp offerings in Buddhist practices have symbolized his realization. Each lamp offering celebrates the Buddha’s enlightenment and thus is associated with great good fortune.

For Tibetan Buddhist practitioners, a lamp offering also carries the wish to attain Buddhahood and the aspiration to recognize the clear light at the time of death, thereby experiencing liberation in that moment. In this way lamp offerings are associated with transitions in one’s life. Lamp offerings are best made before consecrated representations of fully awakened wisdom, loving-kindness, and compassion.

The right motivation 

Because of the association with great good fortune, lamp offerings are made for any individual or family life event that is celebrated, such as the birth of a child, the marriage of a couple, the graduation of a son or daughter, the birthday of a friend, and the anniversary of one’s parents. Lamp offerings may also be made in difficult times or uncertain transitions.

The gift of light and the accompanying prayers help to bring about less suffering and greater happiness in times of illness, loss, uncertainty, and death. Lamps may be offered for a parent who is facing an operation, for a friend changing careers, for a student facing a difficult exam, and for a family member experiencing extreme stress. At the time of someone’s death, it is traditional to offer a Bardo lamp for 49 days.

When we make light offerings, just as when we engage in any other virtuous activity, we begin by engendering the correct motivation. Therefore, we pause before we start our offerings to recall the vast attitude of bodhicitta. To inspire you, here we include a beautiful aspiration prayer by Mipham Rinpoche. 

Mipham Rinpoche

Jamgon Ju Mipham Gyatso, or Mipham Jamyang Namgyal was born in 1846 and pass away in 1912. Mipham Jamyang was a very influential philosopher and polymath of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. He wrote over 32 volumes on topics such as painting, poetics, sculpture, alchemy, medicine, logic, philosophy and tantra.

Lamp Aspiration by Mipham Rinpoche

• This illuminating lamp of original pure awareness
• I offer to the mandala deities of Vidyadhara Padmakara.
• May all beings, my mothers, wherever awareness pervades, attain the Dharmakaya level of aware emptiness.

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in the year 2008, we had been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 13 years.  We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or funding from people in general. 

Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come. 

Dedication 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.

Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.