Introduction As an offering for the Twenty-one Tarā (jenang) permission empowerment given today by HH 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso (video here), in the place where Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment, (which I was fortunate to attend in person), I offer first a brief introduction to the four main traditions of the Twenty-One Tārās (two from… Continue reading PRAISES TO TĀRĀ! TWENTY-ONE TĀRĀ BLESSINGS IN BODH GAYA FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE. Empowerment by HH 14th Dalai Lama, introduction to the four main traditions of twenty-one Tārās and ‘The Explicit and Secret Aspects’ of Tārā commentary by Jetsun Tāranātha
Tag: tara
GODDESS QUEEN OF SPACE: ACHI CHOKYI DROLMA. Life-Story, Texts, Depictions, ‘Praise to Achi’ by Jigten Sumgon and Teaching by 8th Garchen Rinpoche
"The Chief of the activity ḍākinīs will come to the area of Tidro cave in Drigung. This will be a nirmanakāya manifestation of Vajrayogini." --Cakrasaṃvara root tantra “I, Achi Chokyi Dolma, wrote this sadhana of myself. By this, for 15 generations, this woman (I) will take care of you. If it is important, call me. … Continue reading GODDESS QUEEN OF SPACE: ACHI CHOKYI DROLMA. Life-Story, Texts, Depictions, ‘Praise to Achi’ by Jigten Sumgon and Teaching by 8th Garchen Rinpoche
LADY WITH THE FLOWER: NOBLE TĀRĀ AND THE GYALWANG KARMAPAS. Overview of Karmapas’ works on Tārā and first translation of Tārā Supplication by 16th Karmapa
For Dākinī Day today, I offer the first overview of works on Tārā composed by the Karmapas. In addition, the first translation of brief Tārā supplication by the 16th Karmapa, Rigpe Dorje from the third volume of his Collected Works. For a translated outline of this third volume, see here. First, a little background… Continue reading LADY WITH THE FLOWER: NOBLE TĀRĀ AND THE GYALWANG KARMAPAS. Overview of Karmapas’ works on Tārā and first translation of Tārā Supplication by 16th Karmapa
‘DIFFICULT’ AND WILD WOMEN: THE INVISIBILITY AND OVERLOOKING OF FEMALES IN BUDDHISM, PAST AND PRESENT, PATRIARCHAL ACADEMIA AND FEMALE TOKENISM
“Those who wish to attain supreme enlightenment in a man’s body are many, but those who wish to serve the aims of beings in a woman’s body are few indeed; therefore may I, until this world is emptied out, work for the benefit of sentient beings in a woman’s body.” --Noble Tara (Origin of the… Continue reading ‘DIFFICULT’ AND WILD WOMEN: THE INVISIBILITY AND OVERLOOKING OF FEMALES IN BUDDHISM, PAST AND PRESENT, PATRIARCHAL ACADEMIA AND FEMALE TOKENISM
THE IMMEASURABLE ‘ROOT LIFE-FORCE’ OF ALL DEITIES AND SAMAYA: White Tārā teaching by 8th Garchen Rinpoche (April 2021)
"Love and compassion is the life-force of the deity. It is said that what we call the deity is actually bodhicitta. Thus, the samaya is to maintain love and compassion for all sentient beings and when others harm you, one should practice patience and hold onto that love. Samaya is love and compassion for others."HE… Continue reading THE IMMEASURABLE ‘ROOT LIFE-FORCE’ OF ALL DEITIES AND SAMAYA: White Tārā teaching by 8th Garchen Rinpoche (April 2021)
NEW TRANSLATION: ‘Actually Realising’ White Tārā Daily Practice’ by 13th Karmapa
White Tārā, Wish-Fulfilling Wheel (18th Century Karma Kagyu thangka, with 13th Karmapa depicted in it). Today for Tārā day, I offer the first translation and publication of a very concise White Tārā daily practice composed by the 13th Karmapa, Dudul Dorje (dDud-'dul rDo-rje, 1733-1797). The text (compiled in English, Tibetan and phonetics) can be downloaded… Continue reading NEW TRANSLATION: ‘Actually Realising’ White Tārā Daily Practice’ by 13th Karmapa
‘The Eyes Of Tārā’ by Jonang Ngawang Lodro Dragpa
On the 8th day of the lunar month, Tārā day, I offer a short practice text on Noble Tārā from the Jonang tradition, composed by a twentieth-century Jonang and Rimey master, Khenpo Ngawang Lodro Dragpa, (Ngag-dbang-blo-gros-grags-pa) (1920-1975). He spent a significant part of his life at one of the main monasteries in Dzamthang, Tsangwa monastery.… Continue reading ‘The Eyes Of Tārā’ by Jonang Ngawang Lodro Dragpa
NEW TRANSLATION: ‘The Melodious Tune that Accomplishes All Aims’ Supplication Praise to Noble Tārā’s root mantra by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
In these troubled times of Covid-19 virus and the restrictions accompanying it, many Buddhists are turning to the practice and recitation of Noble Tārā. The root mantra of Tārā is one of the most famous in the Buddhist canon. In Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo’s Collected Works, there are several short praises to Tārā and here is… Continue reading NEW TRANSLATION: ‘The Melodious Tune that Accomplishes All Aims’ Supplication Praise to Noble Tārā’s root mantra by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
Part VIII: Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, ‘The Heart Essence of Chetsun’ and ‘The Heart Essence of the Noble Lady of Immortality’
On the last but one day of the Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo transmissions, Siliguri, January 2020, the life-force of the protectors of the Luminous Essence of the Three Roots, the empowerment of the oral instructions of Dzogchen, the Heart Essence of Chetsun (Chetsun Nyingtig) and the mind-treasure (gongter) of the the Heart Essence of the Noble… Continue reading Part VIII: Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, ‘The Heart Essence of Chetsun’ and ‘The Heart Essence of the Noble Lady of Immortality’
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