March 10, 2008
Green Tara Mantra
Kuan Yin Chanting Meditation
Compassionate Wisdom Cultivation
Udated March 5 2008
The object of contemplation for this Chanting Meditation is Green Tara, seated in the Royal Ease Posture. The mantra is Om Tare Tutare Ture Soha. Tara is the Bodhisattva of feminine compassionate wisdom in action. In Tibetan Vajra, Chenrezig or Avalokitesvara is always male, with Arya Tara being either his Tantric consort or female form.
Real Player Sound Files: Green Tara Mantra Ito Kaya .ram ...Monks&Nuns? .ram ... Tibetan Monks .ram
OM TA RE TU TA RE TU RE SO HA
Green Tara (Shyama Tara or Dark Tara)) is seated on a white moon-disk. Her green complexion symbolizes the active function of the fully-enlightened being. The moon symbolizes her peacefulness. The moon is resting upon a lotus. The lotus symbolizes her freedom from any defilement, just as the lotus rises out of the mud of the swamp, but the blossom itself is pure and undefiled. In the same way, Green Tara arises in the world but is completely undefiled by the world. Her posture is the 'lalitasana' or royal ease asana. Her left leg is withdrawn in the Lotus pose, to symbolize her mastery of Insight and detachment from the 5 Emotional Defilements (Klesha). Her right leg is in the Euro-posture in front of her body, slightly bent, with her foot on a lotus blossom. This signifies her ability to spring into action, to act swiftly for the compassionate protection of all sentient beings.
In each hand she usually holds the stem of a blue utpala flower. Each flower consists of three blossoms indicating that Tara, the embodiment of enlightened activities, is the Mother of the Buddhas of the past, present and future. The Buddha of the past is the Treasure Tower Buddha, the present refers to Shakyamuni, while the Buddha of the Future is Maitreya, the Buddha of Loving Kindness (Maitri or Metta). Her right hand, (left-facing) is actually in the Dana or Varada Mudra (The Gift bestowing Gesture of Compassion) with the palm turned outwards. The five extended fingers in this mudra symbolize the following five perfections: Generosity, Morality, Patience, Effort, and Meditative concentration. The left hand is held up, again with the palm facing outward, and grasping the uptala lotus. This is Abhaya Mudra the gesture of fearlessness and refuge. There is also a lot of other symbolism in the image, including the Aura or Halo, the Tiara, various jewels representing the paramittas, and her silk attire.
Her name means 'she who ferries across', 'one who saves', or 'star'. Green Tara, who embodies active female wisdom, is sometimes called the 'Mother of All Buddhas'. She manifests in many emanations; both peaceful and wrathful in form. The merits acquired from the Green Tara meditation are quick thinking, practical wisdom, skillful compassion, generosity, magical powers, fearlessness, spontaneity, and general ‘kewl-ness.’ I chant "to" Tara when I have an extra special, kind of selfish, favor to ask, usually for someone I care about who is suffering. The Green Tara Mantra is recited with affection and has no specific meaning; it is a play on her name.
There are three stories about the origins of Tara.
In a past life as a human, during the Age of Dundubhisvara Buddhism, in a universe called Manifold Light, Tara was a Princess named Moon of Wisdom-knowledge. She left secular life to become a nun, accumulated great merit, and Awakened from delusion. Some Monks told her to dedicate the merits she had created to be reborn as a male. However, she rejected the advice and made this vow:
"There are many who desire Enlightenment in a man's body, but none who work for the benefit of sentient beings in the body of a woman. Therefore, until samsara is empty, I shall work for the benefit of sentient beings in a woman's body."
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Green Tara came into being when the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara cried upon seeing all of the suffering in the Universe. He cried so much that a pond grew out of his tears. Out of this pond grew a blue lotus flower, and on this flower appeared Green Tara.
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Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion, was looking down from his heaven, on the world of suffering beings, and he wept. From his tears two Taras were born, a peaceful white one from the left and a fierce green one from the right.
Link:
Green Tara
Previously Posted by robin at March 20, 2005 06:28 PM
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Comments From Previous Entry on this topic
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Robin, you write: "The merits acquired from the Green Tara meditation are quick thinking, practical wisdom, skillful compassion, generosity, magical powers, fearlessness, spontaneity, and general ‘kewl-ness.’"
Queen Lolo replies: Sign me up! (LOL) Just about the only thing missing from this list is "standing dinner reservations at The Ivy in Beverly Hills." Seriously though, I look forward to reading more about Green Tara. My cousin went to India years ago and brought me a wall hanging with Tara's image on it. I used it to make a pillow that now adorns my living room. She is a good reminder of a compassionate heart.
Thanks for yet another great blog.
Queen Lolo
Posted by: Queen Lolo at March 22, 2005 09:08 PM
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Hi,
A friend told me Tara is like Kuan Yin with an attitude. A little 'spunk', if you will. There is a strong protective spirit connected with Tara.
Rather than a new entry, I am going to add extended text to this one -- later today, I hope.
Om Tare Tutare Ture Soha
robin
Posted by: robin at March 23, 2005 05:17 AM
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Robin, I am curious... When you chant, do you use a variety of mantras, such as the ones you write about in your blog? And do you sit at your Gohonzon?
I usually chant "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" outloud, but I was motivated by one og your blog comments to try a mantra I used to use in silent meditation ("Om Mani Padme Hum") outloud at my altar. I had a completely different experience with the change in mantras -- more peaceful.(My kids came in and one said, "That made me feel calmer than when you chant the other way." My other child said, "I don't like that at all, it made me tense.")
Queen Lolo
Posted by: Queen Lolo at March 23, 2005 09:33 AM
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Robin, I am curious... When you chant, do you use a variety of mantras, such as the ones you write about in your blog?
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Yes. Not everyday. Just when I feel a need. When I feel vengeful, I chant the Great Compassion Mantra. When I feel hateful, I recite the Metta Sutta.
And do you sit at your Gohonzon?
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I usually chant the other mantras with the traditional thangkas as my visualization, or facing east. For Om Mani, I generally use the 4 armed Chenrezig Thangka. I try to match the mantra & the mandala. I often use an on screen visual as a virtual mandala. I have some small framed Thangkas that I printed too.
Posted by: robin at March 23, 2005 10:14 AM
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If I am the Queen of "Eclectic" then you must be the King!
LOL!
Posted by: Queen Lolo at March 23, 2005 10:43 AM
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I describe metta-waves meditation as "A Syncretic-Eclectic Approach"
It is eclectic because I borrow mantras used by the Vajra (Esoteric), Zen, & Pure Land traditions.
It is syncretic because I do not necessarily use them for the intended purposes of those traditions.
My tradition is based on Samatha-Vipassana (Shikan). So I use the mantras and mandalas as specific types of Tranquility-Mindful and/or Wisdom-Insight Cultivations.I believe this was the original intent.
For example, I think the Pure Land practices started as Samatha-Smrti-Metta-Karuna Bhavana. In English, that is Tranquil-Mindful-Kindness-Compassion Cultivations.
robin
Posted by: robin at March 23, 2005 04:58 PM
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And do you have a Gohonzon? Do you chant "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo?" Do you or have you ever considered yourself a "Nichiren Buddhist" as well?
Just wondering...
Queen Lolo
Posted by: Queen Lolo at March 23, 2005 06:03 PM
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Right now, I have six (8 X 10) Nichiren Mandala Honzon enshrined in Temporary altars. Each has a purpose. Ryoben-ji, a room in the house, is scheduled for completion in 2006. I have not yet chosen what shall be a full size Mandala Honzon for the Main Altar.
I also have several small Gohonzon for travel.
I have been an SGI member since 1972; on the fringes since 1991.
robin
Posted by rbeck at March 10, 2008 11:04 AM