Detailed Introduction
The Green Tara Mantra, "Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha," is one of the most popular mantras in Tibetan Buddhism. Green Tara is regarded as the manifestation of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's tears of compassion, the foremost of all Buddha Mothers, and is renowned for her "swift rescue" -- it is believed that when devotees sincerely recite her mantra, Green Tara will immediately appear to offer protection.
The Origin of Green Tara
Legend holds that Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, observing the suffering of all beings from Mount Potalaka, shed ceaseless tears of compassion. The tear falling from the left eye transformed into Green Tara, while the tear from the right eye became White Tara. Green Tara represents "compassion in action" -- her right foot extends forward (in a half-lotus seated position), ever ready to rise and rescue beings, symbolizing that she does not passively wait but actively and swiftly responds to calls for help. Her skin is emerald green, representing vitality and active energy. Her right hand forms the boon-granting mudra (palm facing outward), her left hand holds a blue lotus, and her entire form radiates the light of compassion.
Analysis of the Mantra
- Om: The universal primordial sound, representing the three mysteries of the Buddha (body, speech, and mind).
- Tare: Means "the liberator," representing Tara's rescue of beings from the ocean of cyclic existence.
- Tuttare: Means "dispelling all fears," representing Tara's removal of the eight great terrors -- lion peril (pride), elephant peril (ignorance), fire peril (anger), serpent peril (jealousy), bandit peril (wrong views), shackle peril (desire), flood peril (attachment), and demon peril (doubt).
- Ture: Means "granting all accomplishments," representing Tara's bestowal of both worldly and transcendent achievements.
- Svaha: Means "perfect accomplishment," the concluding syllable of the mantra, representing the complete fulfillment of the prayer.
Merits of Recitation
The merits of reciting the Green Tara Mantra include: dispelling fear and anxiety, protection from disaster and accidents, safeguarding travel, increasing wisdom and merit, removing obstacles to spiritual practice, and receiving Tara's blessing and guardianship. In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Green Tara is regarded as especially protective of women -- reciting during pregnancy protects mother and child, and reciting during marital difficulties brings wisdom for making the right decisions.
Methods of Practice
- Simple practice: Recite 108 times daily (one round of mala beads), or in multiples of seven (7, 21, etc.).
- Complete practice: Begin with taking refuge and generating bodhicitta, visualize Green Tara above the crown of your head radiating light to bless you, then recite the mantra, and conclude by dedicating the merit.
- Special occasions: When feeling frightened or anxious, before embarking on a journey, when facing difficult decisions, or when praying for others.
Spread in Taiwan
With the spread of Tibetan Buddhism in Taiwan, Green Tara devotion has grown increasingly popular. Tibetan Buddhist centers across Taiwan (such as Drikung Kagyu, Karma Kagyu, and Gelug centers) regularly hold Green Tara dharma assemblies and empowerments. Many Chinese Buddhist practitioners have also begun reciting the Green Tara Mantra, incorporating it into their daily practice. Green Tara's gentle, compassionate image and the "swift rescue" quality of her devotion are especially beloved by female practitioners in Taiwan.