Tara, the savioress, is the most beloved by Tibetans of all the female awakened beings. Tara is known as “she who ferries beings across the ocean of samsara.” She is fully enlightened and is inseparable from genuine reality, or true nature, the dharmakaya. She rushes to the aid of beings when we call upon her with heartfelt devotion.
Peaceful and wrathful, beautiful and powerful, Tara is the actuality of wisdom and compassion. She is sensual and sexual, empty yet fully manifest, and as real as we are. She transcends dualistic limitations and leads us beyond duality to the infinite bliss and emptiness that is our true nature.
Tara is the Mother of all the Buddhas, the essence of compassion in action. Her right foot is slightly extended, because she is ready to leap to the aid of beings. Her right hand is opened out on her right knee, in the gesture of generosity. Her left hand holds the stem of a lotus flower, which is blossoming next to her left ear.
Meditating on Tara helps us awaken our Buddha nature. Through continued meditation practice on her, we can establish a relationship in which we are able to trust and rely on her. It is like getting to know a new friend — we have to invite her over to our home many times until we get to know her. The more we are able to open to her, the more she is able to benefit us.
Original Source: Lior's Roar Article by Lama Palden Drolma.
Venerable Geshe Jampa Wangchuk with translator Venerable Tenzin Lekshey gives a detailed explanation about the Green Tara sand mandala that was created at Gaden Shartse Thubten Dhargye Ling in Long Beach, CA. The sand mandala was created in 21 days and was in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. It was dedicated to all those who were infected, affected, and to those who had passed on during this crisis as well as those who were also sick from other maladies.
Monks from GSTDL and the Gaden Shartse Cultural Foundation (GSCF) performed the Green Tara puja and created a sand mandala. The sand mandala was created in 21 days and was in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. It was dedicated to all those who were infected, affected, and to those who had passed on during this crisis as well as those who were also sick from other maladies. This video presents an overview of the sand mandala creation along with its final consecration and dissolution.
Monks of GSTDL and The Gaden Shartse Cultural Foundation unite in prayer and perform the Green Tara puja dedicated to those who are suffering from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The monks are also under Safer At Home restrictions as the pandemic also hits Los Angeles County. The Cultural Foundation monks had just embarked on a tour around the US where they were about to visit many Dharma communities in the country. Now they remain safely at our Long Beach center. The Green Tara Puja will be performed every day for the next few weeks and will also be creating a Green Tara sand mandala. Please join us live on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gstdl/ everyday starting Wednesday, March 26, 2020 at 2:30pm (PST). Videos will also be uploaded here from time to time. As you watch this video in its entirety, we recommend that you recite the mantra "OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA" in which the mantra not only eliminates illness, sickness, and negative karma but also provides many blessings and great wisdom to all.
