Tara: Goddess of Old Is a Goddess for Our Time

By Kathleen Ivanoff

She is the most popular figure in the Tibetan pantheon of deities, the Goddess Tara, whose name means ‘Star’ has roots in many traditions throughout the world. In ancient Babylonia, Ishtar, “the ‘Lightbringer’ was known as a goddess of fertility, love and war. In ancient Ireland, the Druids said blessings come from the earth goddess, whose hills and mountains are derived from her name: Tor, Tower, Tora, Tara. An ancient saga of Finland said to be millions of years old speaks of Tar, the woman of wisdom. The Cheyenne people tell of a Star Woman who fell from the heavens to the earth. Out of her body all essential food grew. An ancient tribe of indigenous peoples in the South American jungles call to their goddess, Tarahumara. The word Terre in Latin, means mother earth.

Tibetan-born lama, Gehlek Rimpoche, founder of Jewel Heart Tibetan Buddhist Culture and Learning Center and author of the newly released The Tara Box: Rituals for Healing and Protection from the Female Buddha refers to Tara as “the first feminist.” Like many goddesses, there are several stories which tell of her origins. One that Rimpoche frequently tells is that of the Princess “Moon of Wisdom” who, according to the first century Tibetan Historian, Jo-Nan Tarantha, was “born long ago, before the age when there was nothing else,” made countless offerings to the Buddha of that time. Because of her dedication and pure intention, she became a bodhisattva, or, an “awakened being.” At that time, some monks praised her efforts and told her that if she prayed for her “deeds to accord with the teachings, then she would be re-born as a man, which is befitting.” She responded by giving them a short discourse in the true nature of form and identity, summarizing that the concepts of “male” and female” are ultimately not important. However, she quickly added that since there were many who wished to gain enlightenment in male form but few who wished to work for the welfare of all beings in female form, that she would remain in a female body until all beings were freed from suffering.” Because of that vow, Tara is especially inspirational to those whose spiritual path yearns for connection with the Goddess.

In the Tibetan Tradition, there are many forms of Tara, both peaceful and wrathful, and the Praise to the 21 Taras is one of the most popular prayers among Tibetans. The two most identifiable forms of Tara are White Tara and Green Tara, whose mythical origins are said to be born from lotuses sprung from the tears of the Buddha of Great Compassion. Since the inception of Jewel Heart in the mid 1980’s, Gehlek Rimpoche’s teachings have consistently focused on ways to gain connection to and benefit from the healing and long life practices of White Tara. “All forms of Tara are wonderful” he says, “but there is a special quality of White Tara which makes her practices very helpful to everyone.” Rimpoche often gives blessing ceremonies that are open to the public, and stresses that one does not have to be Buddhist to benefit from the practice of White Tara. “She is so kind and compassionate” he says, “She is like the mother that you can always rely on, there is no suffering or pain that Tara would ignore.”

Aura Glaser, Ph.D., a psychotherapist and teacher at Jewel Heart, says, “Tara takes me straight to the heart of the sacred feminine. She is the totality of the fully awakened heart in female form, the embodiment of love without limits. She is a Buddha, and as Wisdom itself she is also Mother to all the Buddhas. As a woman, this expression of the divine in a female body is deeply inspiring for me. It also brings a much needed balance, because as long as the feminine is not honored we will continue to ravage our bodies and our planet. Remembering Tara’s commitment to help all beings without exception, I feel continually encouraged to plant my heart in the world.”

Tara in all her forms has been a guiding force throughout time. Some of the healing practices of White Tara utilize connection and purification of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air and space) so that in mending our own bodies, we assist in healing our environment. In the wake of a world filled with injustice and uncertainty, we are seeing a strong resurgence in Tara’s popularity. Within the Tibetan tradition, the teachings and practices available on Tara are vast and profound. Gehlek Rimpoche has chosen some of the most accessible and helpful for The Tara Box. For those who call on her for strength, revitalization, inspiration, support and healing she has always, and will continue for all time, to be a source of love in its purest form.

Kathleen Ivanoff has been a student of Kyabje Gehlek Rimpoche since 1988. She is the program director for Jewel Heart, and is also a Jewel Heart instructor who teaches courses on Buddhism, including White Tara.