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.
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
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Last updated: 05-25-2005 15:39:25
