Tārā Tantra

Explanation of the Tara Bodhisattva Tantra

Context

The Tara Bodhisattva Tantra (Tara Tantra) is an important work belonging to Kriya Tantra, the lowest level among the four levels of Tantra in the Vajrayana tradition. It is the foundation of practice for those who wish to approach the higher levels of Tantra.

In Tantra, Tara is regarded as the symbol of universal compassion and the highest wisdom. She is the “mother of the Buddhas,” not in a sexual sense, but in the sense that from Tara’s arising of the bodhisattva conduct, the Buddhas are able to appear. Tara symbolizes immediate liberation from all obstacles, the swift saving power granted to practitioners.

This scripture was composed in the Indian Buddhist tradition, then translated and widely disseminated in Tibet, where Tara is worshiped with the greatest depth. According to this tradition, Tara has twenty-one emanations, each manifesting a different aspect of compassion and wisdom.

Main Content

The Tara Bodhisattva Tantra presents the twenty-one emanations (manifestations) of Tara, each bearing a different color, smile, and posture, reflecting Tara’s adaptation to the different kinds of people who need to be liberated.

The most prominent emanation is Green Tara, the symbol of swift action and immediate salvation. She sits in a posture ready to step down with her left foot, expressing wisdom and courage. Her right hand is raised toward those who call for help, and her left hand holds a lotus branch (padma), symbolizing purity and enlightenment.

In addition, there is White Tara, the manifestation of longevity, peace, and long life. White Tara is often venerated by practitioners when they need comprehensive and enduring protection.

Other emanations, such as Yellow, Red, Black, or Blue Tara, each correspond to a specific aspiration: dispelling demonic obstacles, increasing merit, magnetizing, and forceful action.