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The beloved deity Tara is the feminine embodiment of enlightenment. For centuries, practitioners have turned to her for protection from both external and internal dangers, from fire to arrogance. This well-written book, presented in conversational style, is an authoritative guide to the practice of Tara. Includes very helpful chapters on the whys and hows of various Tara practices as well as a commentary on the "Homage to the 21 Taras."
"With her usual clarity Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron skillfully weaves the practice and theory of Arya Tara together with the Lam-rim path, to provide a fascinating and very helpful guide for those interested in the Tara practice."--Ani Tenzin Palmo
"Ven. Thubten Chodron has the extraordinary ability to present even the most profound spiritual teachings simply and directly, in ways that impact our everyday lives. With her characteristic warmth, humor, and intelligence, she invites us here to enter the world of Tara, one of the most beloved members of the Buddhist pantheon, and to share in the wisdom and compassion of the Divine Mother."--Jonathan Landaw, the author of Prince Siddhartha, Images of Enlightenment, and Buddhism for Dummies.
"Venerable Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron was a student of my guru, Lama Thubten Yeshe, and has been a fully ordained nun for many years. For thirty years her mind and life have been fully immersed in the Dharma, like a diamond, indestructible; essenceless worldly things cannot affect her mind. She is a dynamic teacher who has taught extensively all over the world, inspiring many people, awakening them like the shining sun and leading them to the path, bringing them the happiness of not only many future lives but also the everlasting ultimate happinesses of liberation and full enlightenment."--Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Thubten Chodron's books have sold over 100,000 copies and include Buddhism for Beginners, Working with Anger, and Open Heart, Clear Mind.
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Below are a few excerpts from a wonderful new book How to Free Your Mind: Tara the Liberator by best-selling author Thubten Chodron. Her many other titles include: Buddhism for Beginners; Open Heart, Clear Mind; and Working with Anger
Ever since Lama Thubten Yeshe first introduced me to the meditation practice of Green Tara in 1975, I was attracted to this Buddha. Although all Buddhas have the same realizations, Tara's appearance was very friendly and welcoming. While my mind would sometimes project its self-created authority issues on other Buddhas, admitting my imperfections to Tara didn't bother me. Fortunately, I gradually came to feel this way about other enlightened ones, too. Lama Yeshe later explained that most Tibetan Buddhists feel close to Tara; in fact, to indicate his own affection, he called her "Mummy Tara."
This book is written with that affection. Tara's meditation practice has helped me through many ups and downs in my life and in my Dharma practice. My wish is to share my understanding of Tara with you in the hopes that it will help you to understand more clearly your own mind and its potential. Tara is a manifestation of what each of us can become, and as such, she shows us good qualities to cultivate on the path to enlightenment as well as obstacles to abandon.
How to Free Your Mind: Tara the Liberator is directed toward a general audience. One need not be a Buddhist to read it or gain something from it. If you are curious about Buddhist deities, if you want to learn how to free your mind from disturbing emotions such as clinging attachment and anger, if you wonder what the nature of reality is; if you are interested in female Buddhas, you will find something of interest in these pages.
Chapter 1 introduces Tara and discusses her symbolism and the various ways in which we can view her. Chapter 2 describes the purpose of meditating on Tara and the important elements of a sadhana-or guided meditation-on Tara. Here we learn about refuge in the Three Jewels, the loving and compassionate motivation of bodhichitta, and how to visualize Green Tara and recite her mantra. Tara's name means "liberator," and she is said to liberate us from eight internal and eight external dangers. She does this by teaching us the ways to tame our mind so that we are not constantly befuddled by pride, ignorance, anger, jealousy, distorted views, miserliness, attachment, and doubt. Chapter 3 explains this. Chapter 4 is the "Homage to the Twenty-one Taras," praises to Tara that are frequently chanted in Tibetan monasteries and homes, and chapter 5 contains the explanation of the "Homage" and the twenty-one manifestations of Tara. After reciting the "Homage," people often chant some verses describing the benefits of reciting it. These verses and their explanation are found in chapter 6.
Chapter 7 contains one of my favorite poems, "A Song of Longing for Tara, the Infallible," written by Lama Lobsang Tenpey Gyaltsen when he was only eighteen or nineteen years old. My reflections on this moving poem are found in chapter 8. The song gives us wise advice for Dharma practice, and following it brings us closer to Tara. Chapters 9 and 10 discuss Tara's ultimate nature, her emptiness of inherent existence. Her ultimate nature and ours are the same, and to the extent that we realize emptiness, the afflictions obscuring our mind evaporate and we approach Tara's enlightened state.
A glossary of important terms and a list of additional reading are resources for you to explore. |
How to Free Your Mind
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