100 Deities of Bardo State - 5 Buddhas and 8 Male Bodhisattvas (Part 1)

Bardo, The Intermediate State:

The assembly mandala of Bardo deities depicts a perfected state of beings and the central deities within, symbolizes the perfected states of the meditators' own awareness, psycho-physical aggregates, elemental properties and sensory and mental process.

The peaceful deities symbolize the natural purity of these fundamental components of beings while the wrathful deities are the transformative aspects of the energies. The outer deities of these mandalas are the mode of activities of an enlightened being.

100 Deities of Bardo (Intermediate State) Bardo, The Intermediate State: The assembly of 100 deities: 1) The 42 peaceful deities 2) The 58 wrathful deities

The 42 peaceful deities of Bardo - Buddha Samantabhadra and Mother Samantabhadri.

In this center of this assembly is the primordial Buddha Samantabhadra, who is depicted as embracing mother Samantabhadri. He is located in the central position, radiantly blue in color while the mother is white, stainless like a crystal. He, the Buddha body of reality seats on a meditative equipoise.

This union is the representation of the awareness aspects of the Buddha body of reality. The natural purity of mental consciousness and free from the fundamental ignorance.

The Five Buddhas And Five Female Buddhas - The 10 families

The five Buddhas of different family represent the five pure cognitions and the natural purity of the five psycho-physical aggregates. Similarly the five female Buddhas are the natural purity of the five elements.

1. Vairochana and Akasadhatvisvari

Within the central channel of the heart is the Buddha Vairochana and his consort Akasadhatvisvari embracing each other. They belong to the enlightened family of Buddha. Both of them are brilliantly white in color. Vairochana holds a Wheel and a Bell. This union represents the pristine cognition of reality's expanse, and free from the delusion.

2. Akshobya-Vajrasattva and Buddhalochana

They reside in the eastern channel in a union of supreme bliss, representing the mirror like pristine cognition and free from aversion. 

He is azure blue in color and holds a Vajra and a Bell while the mother Buddhalochana is light blue. They belong to the Vajra family.

3. Ratnasambhava and Mamaki

Towards the southern channel is the Buddha Ratnasambhava in a blissful union with female Buddha Mamaki. Radiantly yellow in color Ratnasambhava holds a jewel and a bell in his hands and seated in crossed leg position. 

This union represents the combination of radiance and emptiness. They belong to the Ratna family, symbolizing the pristine cognition of sameness and free from pride.

4. Amitabha and Pandaravasini

The reside towards the western channel, embracing each other in a blissful union that depicts the pristine cognition of discernment and free from attachments. 

They belong to the Padma (Lotus) family. Amitabha is Copper red in color, and holds a lotus and a bell while Pandaravasini is in the color of fire crystal red.

5. Amoghasiddhi and Samayatara

They are portrayed towards the northern channel. Colored in radiant turquoise, green, he holds a crossed Vajra (Viswavajra) and a bell in his hands. The union represents the pristine cognition of accomplishment and free from envy. They belong to the Karma family.

The Eight Male Bodhisattva

According the Guhyasamaja Tantra, these eight male Bodhisattva is the representation of the four senses and the four sense organs. 

1. Kshitigarbha, Vajra family

Snow mountain White in color

To the right side of Vajrasattva 

Holding a seedling and a bell

Symbolizing the natural purity of visual consciousness.

2. Maitreya, Vajra family

Cloudy White in color

To the left of Vajrasattva

Holding a blossoming orange bush and a bell

Symbolizing the natural purity of auditory consciousness

3. Samantabhadra, Ratna family

Amber Yellow in color

To the right of Ratnasambhava

Holding a grain sheath and a bell

Symbolizing the natural purity of olfactory consciousness

4. Akasagarbha, 虛空藏菩薩 Ratna family

Burnished golden Yellow in color

To the right of Ratnasambhava

Holding a sword and a bell

Symbolizing the purity of gustatory consciousness

5. Avalokiteshvara, Padma family

Coral Red in color

To the right of Amitabha

Holding a Lotus and a bell

Symbolizing the purity of tactile consciousness

6. Manjushrikumarabhuta, Padma family

Orange Red in color

To the left of Amitabha

Holding a sword and a bell

Symbolizing the purity of mental consciousness

7. Nivaranaviskambhin 除盖障菩薩 , Karma family

Green as the night flowering lotus

To the right of Amogasiddhi

Holding a book and a bell

Symbolizing the purity of "ground of all" consciousness

8. Vajrapani, Karma family

Emerald Green in color

To the left of Amogasiddhi

Holding a Vajra and bell

Symbolizing the purity of the defiled consciousness

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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.

Why 21 Tara in specific and not random numbers ?

 

OM TARE TUTARE TURE SOHA

OM TARE TUTARE TURE SOHA

OM TARE TUTARE TURE SOHA

OM to the transcendent subduer, Arya Tara, I prostrate,

Homage to the glorious one, who frees with TARE,

With TUTARE, you calm all fears,

You bestow all success with TURE,

To the sound SOHA, I pay great homage. 

  

Green Tara is known as the “swift One” or the “swift Liberator” due to her immediate response to those who request her help. Green Tara reaches out her hand in the gesture of granting protection, freeing one from fear, obstacles, and difficulties. With her right foot stepping forward, she is alert, determined and ready to actively help all who call upon her.

There are so many inner obstacles to the development of our minds and these inner obstacles create many outer obstacles. Therefore, for the success of our Dharma practices, of our actualizing the graduated path to enlightenment, we must rely upon a special Yidam or Buddha such as the Compassionate Goddess of Mother Tara.

Many great Indian Yogis, an example is the great Pandit Lama Atisha relied upon mother Tara. Lama Atisha was able to bring extensive benefits to the Buddha’s teachings and sentient beings. All his success came from Tara. So it is important to have a full trust, confidence and devotion when reciting the mantra, and the praises to the twenty-one Taras prayer at dawn or dusk, at any time of the day or night.

Reciting the Tara mantra or praises to the twenty-one Tara’s practice. Tara can be able to help us overcome many problems in our life. She will liberate us from the untimely death, help us recover from diseases, bring success in business, help us to get jobs.

One might ask "Why 21 Tara in specific? And not 22 or 23 or 40 or any random numbers?

At the basic level, Buddha had taught us 21 techniques with which we are able to attain Enlightenment. According to the Mahayana Sutra system, as we practice, we traverse the ten different levels (Bhumis), eventually reaching the enlightened state. The basis for our enlightenment is right where we find ourselves now, with the precious endowment of our own human body and our own Buddha-nature.

Vajrayana or Tantra is similar to the sutra system, but its methods are more specifically targeted. According to Tantric teaching, within this human body we have twenty one knots. These are in pairs and they obstruct or block our channels. Through practice, as we release each of these pairs of knots, we obtain a specific experience or realization.

After we have released all of the 21 knots, we are known as enlightened beings, having attained Buddhahood.

Buddhahood is not some force that is outside us, waiting for the knots to be untied in order to come in. From basic Buddhism all the way to Dzogchen, it is made perfectly clear that Buddhahood is an innate state, already within us.

Our inherently awakened state is an already enlightened being, a Buddha, Tathagatagarbha. When we release those 21 knots, we attain the ultimate awakening known as the Dharmakaya state. 

The Dharmakaya, in turn, has 21 spontaneously inherent qualities. They transcend duality, the compound state, permanence and impermanence, and effort or striving. Unceasingly, they arise as necessary for the benefit of all sentient beings. 

These twenty one active Dharma kaya qualities appear as the twenty one emanation of Tara. Thus Tara combines all the active energies of the three kayas by which we release our own knots and those of other beings, the energy by which we achieve enlightenment and help other beings to achieve it. 

The Praise to Tara with Twenty-One Verses of Homage, and the Excellent Benefits of Reciting the Praise is usually abbreviated to Praises to the Twenty-One Taras. It is a twenty-seven-versed tantra that is dedicated to the female Bodhisattva Tara, who has twenty-one emanations; Ranging from peaceful to wrathful forms. These poetic verses describe her physical appearance, iconography, attributes, and mantra; and pay homage to the great Tara.

This article aims to provide general introductions to each of the twenty-one Taras, so that the new practitioner can gain a rudimental understanding of these emanations.

For the details of all emanations of Tara, please visit our blog at the following :-

http://max-tibetanbuddhism.blogspot.com/search?q=Emanation+of+Tara

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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.

  

Commentary On The Praises of 21 Taras - Chapter 3/3

The praises are extremely common and renowned amongst the four Mahayana traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Not only the great meditators, yogis and pundits, but the common people who rely Tara experience quick success and achieve the happiness they wish for.

Brilliant Rays of Light

A Commentary on the Praise to Tara

Homage to the noble lady Tara!

This Praise with the twenty-one verses of homage

Is it the root mantra of all peaceful and wrathful Taras.

The wise who recite these words in earnest, with body, speech and mind filled with devotion for this goddess.

We should recall her wrathful form at dusk, and also having risen at dawn her peaceful form. With the mere recollection of her divine form, they will be granted fearlessness; and likewise, just by recollecting her, they will utterly eliminate all misdeeds, and surmount all evil destinies, their results. 

Seventy million victorious Buddhas will swiftly and immediately confer empowerment upon them, and they will attain the common result of greatness in this world, and not only that, but they will also reach the ultimate state of Buddhahood. 

Even the most powerful and toxic poisons, such as those used by dangerous thieves, which derive from plants, or living beings, such as those from dangerous snakes, whether eaten or taken as a draught, will be purged entirely by recalling this praise, this mantra, and the deity herself.

Reciting this two or three or seven times, however much you can, while visualizing the goddess before you, will eliminate multitudes of both the causes and results of suffering brought about by spirits, pestilence, and poisons. Through this praise you have the power to aid others and therefore this applies even to other beings as well.

Those who wish for progeny will bear them; those who wish for riches will acquire them; thus each and every wish—all the supreme or common accomplishments—will hereby be fulfilled, and obstacles will be entirely vanquished, for everything that had to be abandoned has been overcome by its appropriate antidote. Thus, there will be no more obstacles left to hinder the one who recites this praise.

This completes the Praise to Bhagavati Tara as spoken by the completely perfect Buddha.

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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.

Commentary On The Praises of 21 Taras - Chapter 2/3

The praises are extremely common and renowned amongst the four Mahayana traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Not only the great meditators, yogis and pundits, but the common people who rely Tara experience quick success and achieve the happiness they wish for.

Brilliant Rays of Light

A Commentary on the Praise to Tara

Homage to the noble lady Tara!

12. Homage to her, who’s so brightly adorned with a sliver of moon, which resembles that of the first day of the lunar month, as her crown, blazing rays of light. Amongst her locks resides Amitābha, Buddha of Boundless Light, who graces her as another crown ornament. His gleaming rays stream forever forth, constantly benefitting sentient beings with the shining of his boundless light.

13.  Homage to her, seated in a halo blazing with apocalyptic flames, just like those of the seven suns which burn all the earth, stones, and mountains at the end of the eon. Her posture, with her right leg stretched out and left bent inward, is the opposite of before. Immersed in joy, she crushes all the opposing forces, the legions of foes.

14. Homage to her, who on the earth’s surface strikes her left palm and makes the threatening mudrā and stamps her feet. Her brow deeply furrowed, with the utterance of the syllable Hum, light shoots forth from the Vajra in her right hand. This light fills the seven netherworlds and all their obstacles are dispelled.

15. Homage to her, the lady who is blissful, since she is endowed with untainted bliss; and gracious, because she is free from what needs to be abandoned, the afflictions. She acts out of the domain of the peace—the pacification of suffering—of nirvana, which is the total exhaustion of all thoughts. With the essence of her enlightened from, Om and Svaha perfect union, she lays to waste every terrible evil—the afflictions of others, which must be abandoned.    

16. Homage to her, who, immersed in rapture, shatters the bodies of all her foes. She manifests from the wisdom-syllable Hum, for this is the essence of her wrathful mantra—Om Namas Tare Namo Hare Hum Hare Svaha. She likewise displays each of her peaceful mantra’s ten syllables—Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha.

17. Homage to Ture, whose wrathful emanation enters a dance. Her feet stomping boldly, she pacifies obstacles wherever they may be. Her wrathful body is born or formed from the seed of the syllable Hum. The supreme mountain of the three-thousand-fold world system, called Mandara, is pierced by the light radiating from the syllable Hum. All the three worlds—the desire, form and formless realms—she causes them to quake.

18.  Homage to her, who holds in her hand the maṇḍala of a deer-marked moon, which is likened to a divine lake. This is a sign that she has cleared away the poison of the afflictions. With Tara twice and then with Phaṭ, and with the mantra Tare, she totally cleanses all of the poisons of the world and all that moves within it. 

19. Homage to her, who is served—worshipped—by kings of hosts divine, and leaders of gods and of the kiṃnaras, such as King Druma. She is suited or manifests in a deity’s form and mantra, which serves as her armour of joy and splendour. She dispels all nightmares, soothes away the strife caused by those opposed to the Dharma.

20. Homage to her, whose eyes become sources of shining light. p both shine with luster, bright with the fullness of her right eye, represented by the sun, and her left eye, represented by the moon. With twice-uttered Hara—a mantra that is both peaceful and wrathful—and Tuttare she pacifies all, including the most intractable diseases.

21. Homage to her, who has the power to free us from all afflictions. She puts forth the realities of enlightened body, speech and mind as a set of three—the syllables Om, Ah and Hum. Supreme Ture, she completely pacifies and destroys all opposing forces—the hordes of grahas, vetalas, and yaksas that create obstacles—through the power of the ten-syllable mantra.

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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.

Commentary On The Praises of 21 Taras - Chapter 1/3

 

The praises are extremely common and renowned amongst the four Mahayana traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Not only the great meditators, yogis and pundits, but the common people who rely Tara experience quick success and achieve the happiness they wish for.

Brilliant Rays of Light

A Commentary on the Praise to Tara

Homage to the noble lady Tara!

Homage to Tara, she who liberates from the suffering of samsara. She is swift in aiding beings and gallant in conquering afflictions. Her glance flashes like flares of lightning, a statement that serves as an analogy for its luminosity. She was born in the heart of a blossoming lotus or utpala flower that rose from the tears of the Triple-World’s Lord, Avalokitesvara.

Homage to her, whose countenance is comparable to many hundreds of full moons, each as radiant white as on the fifteenth day of the lunar month, gathered together in autumn. This image illustrates the immeasurable number of light-rays that shine from her; this is also conveyed by the image of her smiling and glowing with brilliant radiance, like a thousand stars clustered, ablaze. 



Homage, golden-blue coloured lady, shining like the light reflected upon refined gold. A lotus holds in her left hand; it is graced with the symbolic implement of a water-born lotus flower. Through the practice of the six pāramitās: the pāramitā of generosity; the pāramitā of diligence; The pāramitā of endurance; serenity, or, the pacification of afflictions; the pāramitā of patience; and the pāramitā of meditation; and through embodying the pāramitā of wisdom, she attained the form of the goddess Tara. This is illustrated by her emblem, the utpala flower. 

Homage to her, whose total victories over demons, enemies, and all such opposing forces are endless. She is the jewel adorning all the great Tathāgatas’ crowns. She is well served, honoured, and praised by all the Bodhisattvas, the heirs of the Victors, those who’ve accomplished all the perfections—the ten pāramitās, which are the essence of all ten bhūmis.  

Homage to her, who with the power and light from the mantra syllables tuttāre and hūṃ, fills the desire realms, and the form realm, and the formless realm, unto the ends of space. She tramples underfoot the seven worlds—the five types of desire realm for the five types of beings, and the form and formless realms—and has the strength to summon—to bring others, like kings, under her control—and to fulfil all the wishes of sentient beings.  

Homage to her, praised and venerated by Indra, the king of gods, and by Agni, Brahmā, Maruts, and their lord, the great and powerful Śiva. All the eight classes of gods and demons; the bhūtas, such as Gaṇapati; the vetālas, such as Maheśvara; the gandharvas, such as Pañcaśikha; and the yakṣas, such as Vaiśravaṇa, pay tribute to her.   

Homage to her, who with the fierce utterances of traḍ and phaṭ crushes the enemies’ Yantras,  all their evil concoctions, to dust, thereby averting their schemes. With the posture of the right leg bent in and left leg extended, shining, she treads or tramples, the meaning of which is explained above, amidst the flames wildly blazing, a sign of her majestic stance.   



Homage to her, who with the sound of ture dispels the dangerous demons. She is the fearsome lady, for she strikes terror into these demons. She is the destroyer of the most powerful demons of the afflictions. Having conquered them, she defeats the other three demons as soon as they arise. Tara’s lotus-face, like a blooming lotus flower, is astonishingly beautiful like that of a heroine, while her deep-furrowed brow reveals her wrath. She is the slayer of each and every foe, such as the opposing forces of the afflictions.   

Homage to her, whose left thumb and ring-fingers gracefully hold a lotus flower to her heart. Her three other fingers are extended to symbolize or display the mudrā of the Three Jewels. Her right hand is extended in the mudrā of supreme generosity, and the palm is graced by a wheel adorning every direction.Light streams forth from this wheel, in a dazzling radiance that overwhelms all.   



Homage to her, who fulfils the wishes of all sentient beings with supreme joy. She is beautified by a radiantly jewelled garland that crowns her head in a splendour that outshines all others. Smiling and laughing with the sound of the mantra tuttāre, it is through the laughter of this mantra that she brings demons and the world under control.   

Homage to her, who can summon the hosts of earthly guardians, the guardians of the ten directions; they follow her orders and thus act as her messengers.Her frown it quivers, for she is the wrathful lady, whose heart center is marked by the syllable hūṃ. She delivers all of us sentient beings from the suffering of every misfortune—the torment of bad circumstances and absence of good circumstances—thereby establishing us in bliss. 


For (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.

 

 

 

 

Tam - The Sacred Seed Syllable of Goddess Green Tara

OM TARE TUTARE TURE SOHA

Through this the strongest of poisons,

Poisonous objects and places,

Eaten or drunk by other beings,

Will be completely purified by remembering her,

Afflictions from evil spirits, diseases and poisons,

And all one's suffering shall come to cessation -

This will be so for others also.

The Bodhisattva Tara was born from the tears of Avalokitesvara as he looked down on the sorrows of the world. Her name comes from the Sanskrit word Tara and means literally: carrying across, a saviour, protector; a star, shining. Tara is usually depicted with the Tathagata Amitabha in her headdress. Green Tara is also sometimes called Arya or Noble Tara. In Tibetan she is Drolma.

Despite the connection with the Padma family via Amitabha and Avalokitesvara, she is also considered member of Amoghasddhi's Vishvavajra family, as she appears as his consort or Prajna in yab-yum (father-mother) depictions.

Her right hand is in the mudra of giving, and her left hand the mudra of fearlessness through going for refuge to the three jewels. Her left leg is tucked up in the meditation posture and her right leg is stepping down into the world. The left leg symbolises her meditation, while the right symbolises her compassionate activity in the world.

In the past, as well as today, many people have fulfilled theirs worldly needs and reached Nirvana and Enlightenment through the practice of Mother Tara. The practice of Tara is powerful to help us overcome our fears, reduce stress, achieve a better future, heal physical and mental illness, as well as improve our relationships with ourselves and others. 

If anyone completes just one Tara mantra meditation with positive intention, it is very beneficial. Taking Tara into our daily practice is extremely beneficial and helps us overcome mental, physical, and spiritual obstacles. Those who are willing to take Green Tara as their personal deity (yiddam) receive tremendous benefits.

In Tibet, where Buddhist practice originated, we see in the image of Tara frequently depicted, which shows that this is one of the main practices since the beginning of Buddhism. This is an ancient practice that has been transmitted with unbroken Lineage for over 2500 years. In Tibet, the four major schools of Buddhism (Nyngma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug) each has some unique practices, but Green Tara is common to all four of The schools and is the main practice of many highly realized people.

Goddess Green Tara is associated with the qualities of action and protection (as a mother who is willing to give her life to protect her children), kindness and caring, and a strong connection to the earth. It is said that those who meditate on Tara receive these qualities more quickly than through meditation on male Buddhas.

Tara Visualization and MotivationVisualization is a common practice in Buddhism, especially in Vajrayana Buddhism. Visualizing an image can be used at any level of spiritual practice, for Buddhists (Mahayana or Vajrayana motivations) and non-Buddhists alike. In Buddhism, especially Mahayana Buddhism, the image is visualized based on a foundation of loving-kindness and compassion to all living beings. Sometimes it is difficult to expand your thoughts to all living beings, but it is beneficial if you can.

To generate Bodhicitta, the prayer of refuge and the four immeasurable thoughts help generate strong positive motivation. Once that feeling has been generated, it is beneficial to include a short practice on sunyata (emptiness). Generate a sense of emptiness and all ordinary (mundane) thoughts and appearances dissolve.

Tam - The Sacred Seed Syllable of Goddess Green Tara

There arises an awareness of interdependence and interconnectedness, as well as an awareness that nothing exists in the way we perceive it. Remain at that level of consciousness (state) as long as possible. Then from that state, there will arise a beautiful red open lotus, with beautiful petals. The petals are fresh and covered with dew. On that lotus, standing on a moon disc is the green letter TAM. 

Green symbolizes air, action, and protection. TAM is the seed syllable of Tara, it represents her essence. The syllable TAM and the lotus should be visualized holding the image in your mind with the same size and colours each day (which strengthens your concentration). It can be any shade of green, but should remain the same for each meditation.

If it is difficult to hold the detail of Tara, look upon the image of Tara on the cover of this booklet, or any image you find attractive. Begin with the general outline, drawing the outline of the image of Tara, and then begin to fill in the image. The brush is the wisdom and the ink is compassion. There is always the combination of wisdom and compassion, as well as inner peace and bliss during the meditation (this is the goal to constantly keep in mind).

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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.

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