The Goddess Green Tara

Tara is one of the few female bodhisattvas among the Buddhist deities. Historical records of Tara begin around the 6th century CE. She most likely evolved from Hindu Goddess Parvati or Braham Goddess Durgaa. Legend states that when the God Avalokiteshvara looked out upon the work and saw all the suffering and despair, he wept. His tears collected into a pond which grew a single lotus. The lotus bloomed and upon it was Tara. She was born to bring compassion into the world.

Another legend states that Tara was originally the daughter of a great King. She spent her life performing charitable works, praying for her community and giving offerings to the monastery. She was told that her lifetime achievements would allow her to be reborn as a man to attain greater achievements in the next life. Tara so strongly believed in the Unity of all life, no separation such as man or woman, that she chose to be reborn as a woman to continue her work in the world.


Painting by Sarah Grubb

Tibetan Green Tara Handmade Buddha Statue, 8.5 Inches - $ 390.00
This Tibetan Tara Buddha Statue is made from copper,turquoise,coral, and painted with real gold. The statue is 6 inches wide 8.5 inches tall. The Tara Buddha statue represents achievements in work and industry. This Tara Buddha statue was handmade in Nepal.

GREEN - One of the most obvious pieces of the Tara Imagery is that she is Green. Green Tara is a Forest Goddess, so the color represents her connection with nature. She is also associated with the element of air, as is the Heart Chakra, which is green. Green is a common symbol for love and compassion.

BLUE LOTUS "Utpala" - The utpala is said to bloom at night; therefore, Tara protects during the dark times. It also symbolizing freedom from attachment to worldy pleasures.

POSTURE - Right Hand gesture represents Giving, as she grants us her assistance. Tara's Left Hand position symbolizes Refuge and Protection. The left leg is gently tucked under her in peaceful meditation, but the right leg steps down off her lotus seat and into the world.



Picture from ebslr.org

Tara is the Goddess of Compassion in Action; therefore, her mantra calls for assistance progressing on a spiritual path, to remove obstacles in our way, and trust in the power of Tara to help move you forward to enlightenment.



OM - is the sound of the Universe. It is an opening, an invitation, to the Divine.

TARA - asking for protecting from the despair and suffering that we encounter every day.

TUTTARE - asking for deliverance from internal spiritual dangers (greed, delusion, and hatred) and onto a solid spiritual path.

TURE - asking for release from feelings of separation, calling for Unity and Connection.

SVAHA - asking that the mantra be firmly rooted in our heart and soul.

There are several ways of performing a Tara Practice. One is the chant the Green Tara mantra above 108 times. For maximum benefit perform the 108 repetitions for 40 consecutive days.

One may also go to a Tara Puja at a local Buddhist center. A Puja is a session to honor and invoke a given deity. At the Puja often the monks will chant longer mantras and prayers dedicated to the Buddha or Bodhisattva.

Or you may receive the Tara blessing from the Buddhist center, so you may perform specialized meditations and mantras if she is your chosen deity.



Picture from TaraProjects.org

Green Tara Poster
24 in. x 36 in.
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