Tara is the feminine counterpart of the bodhisattva
("Buddha-to-be") Avalokitesvara (meaning one who
hears the cries of the world). According to popular
belief, Tara came into existence from a tear of
Avalokitesvara, which fell to the ground and formed a
lake. Out of its waters rose up a lotus, which, on
opening, revealed the goddess. Like Avalokitesvara,
she is a compassionate, succoring deity who helps
men "cross to the other shore." She is the
protectress of navigation and earthly travel, as well
as of spiritual travel along the path to Enlightenment.
In Tibet she is believed to be incarnate in every pious
woman, and the two wives-a Chinese princess and a
Nepali princess-of the first Buddhist king of Tibet,
Srong-brtsan-sgam-po, were identified with the two
major forms of Tara. The White Tara (Sanskrit:
Sitatara; Tibetan: Sgrol-dkar) was incarnated as the
Chinese princess. She symbolizes purity and is often
represented standing at the right hand of her
consort, Avalokitesvara, or seated with legs crossed,
holding a full-blown lotus. She is generally shown
with a third eye. Tara is also sometimes shown with
eyes on the soles of her feet and the palms of her
hands (then she is called "Tara of the Seven Eyes," a
form of the goddess popular in Mongolia).
The Green Tara (Sanskrit: Syamatara; Tibetan: Sgrol-
ljang) was believed to be incarnated as the Nepali
princess. She is considered by some to be the
original Tara and is the female consort or sexual
partner of Avalokitesvara. She is generally shown
seated on a lotus throne with right leg hanging down,
wearing the ornaments of a bodhisattva and holding
the closed blue lotus (utpala).
The white and green Taras, with their contrasting
symbols of the full-blown and closed lotus, are said
to symbolize between them the unending
compassion of the deity who labors both day and
night to relieve suffering. Under the influence of
Tibetan Lamaism the different forms of Tara
multiplied to a traditional 108. Tibetan temple
banners frequently show 21 different Taras, colored
white, red, and yellow, grouped around a central
green Tara. The figure of the "self-born" Buddha,
Amitabha, is often shown in her headdress, as she,
like Avalokitesvara, is considered to be an emanation
of Amitabha. In her ferocious, blue form, invoked to
destroy enemies, she is known as Ugra-Tara, or
Ekajata; as a red goddess of love, Kurukulla; and as a
protectress against snake bite, Janguli. The yellow
Bhrkuti is an angry Tara, with frowning brows.
There is also a Hindu Tara. Along with Kali She is one
of 10 Mahavidyas or Mothers.
- (DG.056)
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