Tara (Devi) - Definition and Overview

In Hinduism the goddess Tara (meaning "star") is a manifestation of the queen of time, Kali. As the star is seen as a beautiful but perpetually self-combusting thing, so Tara is at core the absolute, unquenchable hunger that propels all life.

In Greater Path (Mahayana) Buddhism she is a Bodhisattva or a manifestation of a Buddha. In Tibetan Buddhism, Tara became a symbol of enlightened action, in particular the spiritual hunger and action for release from the purely physical world. As such, Tara is the bodhisattava/buddha of self-mastery and mysticism. The Tibetan monastics have also promoted a popular cult of Tara as a compassionate, maternal figure -- although also "semi-terrific" manifestations are encountered.

Mantra

OM TARE TUTARE TURE SVAHA

21 Forms

In Tibetan Buddhism:

• Green Tara, one face, two arms
• Red Tara, a popular practice deity for the Nyingma school
• White Tara, one face, two arms

External link

• http://www.goddessmystic.com/CoreCurriculum/Goddesses/Tara/TaraRefs.shtml#green
• http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/dasmahavidya_mantra2.php