Now is a Good Time to Examine the Meaning of Tara

Since the popularity of books such as The Chalice and the Blade and The Mists of Avalon, the feminine face of spirituality has resurged. Goddesses, fairies, witches and now bodhisattvas are a part of our cultural zeitgeist. Probably the most famous goddess is the Hindu goddess, Kali, the coal black goddess with enraged eyes and a thrusting tongue. Sometimes she dances on her consort, Shiva, while hacking at demons with a long knife. In fact, in India, this is the age of Kali-a period of destruction and strife. And as we look around us, it would indeed appear that the destructive energy of Kali has permeated the world. Which is why I believe it is time for our culture to discover the comfort of the Buddhist Bodhisattva, Tara. Known as Drolma in Tibetan, Tara is the quintessential female deity for this age.

Who is Tara?
To Tantric Buddhists, Tara is an important Bodhisattva. A Bodhisattva is an enlightened being on the way to Buddhahood who declines attaining nirvana until all sentient beings have been helped towards this path. In other words, Bodhisattvas are similar to a guardian angel, except the Bodhisattva has declined entering the gates of enlightenment until we humans stop acting so nasty to one another. Tara is one of the most beloved Bodhisattva’s in Nepal and Tibet. There are twenty-one manifestations of Tara, but the two most common and most replicated in statue and painting are White Tara and Green Tara. Buddhists who follow her, look upon Tara as the “one who saves.” Others associate her with the Sanskrit word “Tara” which means “star.” While others equate Tara to Kuan Yin, Kannon, and even, our favorite, Kali to augment her meaning and significance. Interestingly, in Sanskrit, the root “Tar” means to “go across” and this is the very thing a Bodhisattva commits to, helping all people to cross from pain and suffering to nirvana.

Green Tara
Most scholars agree that the most ancient images of Tara have been of Green Tara. She is, therefore, considered the oldest of the Tara Bodhisattvas. Most Green Tara art depicts her adorned with multiple strands of jewels while sitting in a half lotus as if ready to spring into action. Her hand gestures, or Mudras, symbolize giving refuge and granting boons. She also holds blue lotus flowers in her hands to depict power and purity. She is both actively compassionate and supportively ready to save her faithful followers from pain and despair. When in trouble, many Buddhists pray to her for support and guidance. Many traditions claim that she is the incarnation of the Nepali queen to the Tibetan king, Srong-brtsan-sgam-po.

White Tara
Most traditions posit that White Tara was born from a tear of compassion from the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. When he looked at the suffering around him, his compassion was so great, he wept and from that tear came White Tara. Some traditions even state that White Tara came from one eye and Green Tara came from another eye. While living in Nepal, I heard a different story of White Tara’s origin. A lama I knew told me that because Green Tara was an older Bodhisattva, the suffering of the world was so great that she could not contain it. So, she wept a tear and out of that tear came White Tara. Whether from Avalokiteshvar’s tear of Green Tara’s, all recognize White Tara as the embodiment of compassion. She has seven eyes: on the soles of her feet, her hands, her forehead, and her face. These eyes symbolize her ability to see the suffering of the world. Whereas the energetic Green Tara half rises from her throne, White Tara is seated in the full lotus position emanating calm and tranquility. She also holds one hand in a boon-granting Mundra, but her other Mundra signifies protection. In this protective hand, she grasps an intricate three headed lotus blossom, symbolizing that Tara embodies the energy of the three Buddhas. Her followers often turn to her for help with overcoming obstacles and longevity. She embodies equanimity. Many traditions claim that she is the incarnation of the Chinese queen to the Tibetan king, Srong-brtsan-sgam-po

What Tara can mean today
For Buddhists, positive intention is very important. In this way, Tara’s influence inspires compassionate intent. Whether you are a Buddhist or not, bringing symbols of kindness into your home is a positive way to balance your life. So much jarring angry noise suffuses our culture: horns, angry lyrics, violent video games. So much of our success in this modern world can hinges on competition, rivalry and even confrontation. It is essential to carve out a refuge somewhere in your home, a place to balance your energy. Tara, the embodiment of equanimity and contentment, can serve as a daily reminder to be kind to yourself and others. In fact, I have one friend who had no interest in Buddhism, yet during a trip to Nepal, purchased a Tara statue. Upon her return to the states she wondered why she made such a strange acquisition. However, many years following this trip, her Tara still sits serenely on her fireplace mantle; she tells me it keeps her room serene. I know many friends who have purchased Tara statues or hand-painted Tara Tangka paintings as simply art. Yet, slowly Tara’s gentle smile becomes a central places of refuge for their busy lives.