Presents the various aspects of Tara and the origin of her tantra, relates contemporary examples of her benevolent activity, provides an explanation of her praise, offers instruction for devotional practice, and discusses remarkable women in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism. An extensive iconography completes the text.
ORIGIN OF THE TARA TANTRA by Jonang Taranatha, trans. & ed. by David Templeman
"Origin of Tara Tantra" by Taranatha, one of the most accomplished scholars of the unorthodox Jo-nan sect, strings together from various fragmentary sources a mine of legends and episodes in the origin and diffusion of Tara's tantra.
Translated by David Templeman, this work is supplemented with voluminous notes, an excellent appendix and a comprehensive bibliography for the serious reader. Similar in style to the author's "bkah.babs.bdun.ldan" (1600), this work heralded Taranatha's major historic work "History of Buddhism in India written four years later in 1608.
"Origin of Tara Tantra," though dependent on legends and largely anecdotal, has nevertheless about it a strong feeling of historic time and provides an important and accurate account of the lineages of the Siddhas who worshipped Tara and passed on her Upadesas, revelations and Tantra, besides giving a background to the masters of the Tibetan Siddhas who grew from India's rich tantric soil.
THE CULT OF TARA: Magic and Ritual in Tibet by Stephan Beyer
Features the practices and philosophic basis of tantra, especially the Tara Tantra: initiation and ritual service, offerings, praises and prayer. Also described is the tradition of Tara and its ramifications in monastic ceremony, folklore, literature, magic, art, medicine and divination.
HOW TO FREE YOUR MIND: Tara the Liberator by Thubten Chodron
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."
IN PRAISE OF TARA: Songs to the Saviouress by Martin Willson
The most dearly loved of all the Buddhist deities is the blissful goddess Tara. She acts with lightning speed to aid those in distress and fulfill their wishes. This collection includes a history of the Tara Tantra, canonical and practice texts, and lyrical praises.
A SHORT PRACTICE OF TARA by the Riwoche Tibetan Buddhist Temple
This handy, well-designed sadhana practice book comes complete with color images of the 21 Taras, Tibetan script, transliteration, and English text, and even a transparent cover to preserve the book. Spiral-bound to lie flat.
This item works well with the Green Tara CD of the practice, recorded in the shrine room of Riwoche Temple.
A SHORT PRACTICE OF GREEN TARA: Including Praises to the Twenty-One Taras by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Thubten Yeshe
Tara practice is especially used to ensure success in all endeavors. Includes the practice and explanation of the mantra in English. The Praises to the 21 Taras, in long and abbreviated versions, also has a phoneticized Tibetan version.
SMILE OF SUN AND MOON: Commentary on The Praise to the 21 Taras by Palden Sherab Rinpoche
The twenty-one emanations of Tara, the mother of all the buddhas, manifest swiftly to protect sentient beings from all fears, pacify evils, disease and misfortune, increase longevity, wealth and merit, overpower the deluded perception, and destroy the enemy of five poisons, one's disturbing emotions.
The Praise to the Twenty-One Taras, connecting the practitioner to Tara's enlightened activity, was memorized and recited by almost every Tibetan regardless of school or tradition. In this book, Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche clarifies each word of The Praise according to the four levels of meaning: the outer, inner, secret, and the ultimate meaning explained according to Prajnaparamita, Mahayoga, Anuyoga and Dzogchen. The visualization instructions follow the inner practice of The Queen of Great Bliss revealed by Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa as part of Longchen Nyingthig terma cycle.
THE PRACTICE OF GREEN TARA by Ven. Bardor Tulku Rinpoche
A complete teaching on the Green Tara practice as performed daily at KTD Monastery. Includes an explanation of the 21 Praises of Tara, photos of the mudras associated with the practice, and a large folding line drawing of the 21 Taras. There is a special section at the end of this text on the previous lives of Ven. Bardor Tulku Rinpoche.
RED TARA COMMENTARY: Instructions for the Concise Practice Known as Red Tara by Chagdud Tulku, ed. by Jane Tromge
This book serves as a companion to the concise English Red Tara practice entitled Red Tara: An Open Door to Bliss and Ultimate Awareness. it leads the practitioner through the practice step by step, explaining its meaning and offering detailed instructions. It is of particular value to those new to Vajrayana Buddhism and deity practice.
Top of page 
Go Back One Page