"Every man came from a woman's ovaries, womb, blood, and v**ina. So, for any man to loathe, deliberately harm, non-consensually violate, and censor a woman's body is an act against mother nature and their own life-source." -- Adele Tomlin -- Adele Tomlin “She is darker, stronger, looser, tougher, sexier. The maturing of a woman who… Continue reading REVERING AND RESPECTING WOMEN’S BODIES, SPEECH AND MINDS International Women’s Day, March 8 2026
Tag: tara
“PROTECTION FROM FEAR OF ENEMY ARMIES” WHITE TĀRĀ AND 8TH KENTING TAI SITUPA: Historical lineage from Indian panditas Vāgīśvarakīrti and Dharmakīrtiśrī, Karma Kagyu as holders of all main transmission from Je Gampopa, Palpung/8th Tai Situpa’s iconic (and subtly “political”) artworks, and newly transcribed e-book of White Tārā sadhana commentary by 9th Gyalton Rinpoche
"The white lady who deceives death.” འཆི་བ་སླུ་བྱེད་དཀར་མོའོ། ། --from the Origin of Tārā Tantra “Puṇya is merit. Jñāna is primordial awareness. Puṣṭiṃ kuru svāhā means may those increase.” “One million recitations of the root mantra is said to be accomplishment of the mantra. With ten million it is said that all activities are accomplished. In… Continue reading “PROTECTION FROM FEAR OF ENEMY ARMIES” WHITE TĀRĀ AND 8TH KENTING TAI SITUPA: Historical lineage from Indian panditas Vāgīśvarakīrti and Dharmakīrtiśrī, Karma Kagyu as holders of all main transmission from Je Gampopa, Palpung/8th Tai Situpa’s iconic (and subtly “political”) artworks, and newly transcribed e-book of White Tārā sadhana commentary by 9th Gyalton Rinpoche
THE FEMALE VOICE OF ‘TRUTH’: The Dakinis and Noble Tara scolding Je Atisha for his pride about his expertise in Tantra (17th Karmapa, Life of Atisha, 2023)
“Do you know these sadhanas?” Tara asked. Atisha said that he had never seen or heard the name of the texts. She then said: “If that is so, then why do you think you are so well-versed in the Dharma and secret mantra practices? The tantras that you know are like no more than a… Continue reading THE FEMALE VOICE OF ‘TRUTH’: The Dakinis and Noble Tara scolding Je Atisha for his pride about his expertise in Tantra (17th Karmapa, Life of Atisha, 2023)
“THE EYES OF TĀRĀ” BY JONANG AND RIMEY MASTER, NGAWANG LODRO DRAGPA: Dedicated to Karma Dendup and those with deteriorating sight
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart."--Helen Keller "Good looks outshine good figures, Beautiful eyes outshine good looks, The beauty of soul outshines beautiful eyes." ---Naxi people proverb I am on the road solo travelling again to sacred, inspiring… Continue reading “THE EYES OF TĀRĀ” BY JONANG AND RIMEY MASTER, NGAWANG LODRO DRAGPA: Dedicated to Karma Dendup and those with deteriorating sight
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
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
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