Tara Puja སྒྲོལ་ཆོག 二十一度母法會 June 22, 2026

Tara Puja is a ritual of offering and prayer centered on the deity Tara (known in Tibetan as Jetsun Dolma), who is revered as the "Mother of all Buddhas" and the embodiment of enlightened activity and compassion.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Tara is believed to have been born from the tears of Avalokiteshvara (the Buddha of Compassion) when he wept over the suffering of sentient beings. She represents the female aspect of the enlightened mind.

Key Elements of the Puja
While there are many forms of Tara, the most common puja focuses on Green Tara (the primary form) and White Tara (associated with longevity). The ritual typically includes:

The Praises to the Twenty-One Taras: A rhythmic recitation of twenty-one verses, each honoring a different manifestation of Tara that addresses specific needs or fears.

Offerings: The presentation of symbolic gifts, such as light (candles), incense, flowers, and food (tormas).

Mantra Recitation: Chanting Tara’s mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha.

Visualizations: Practitioners visualize Tara’s green form radiating light that dissolves obstacles and grants protection.

Importance in Tibetan Buddhism
The significance of Tara Puja lies in its accessibility and the "swiftness" attributed to the deity.

1. Protection from the "Eight Great Fears"
Tara is traditionally called upon to protect practitioners from eight internal and external dangers: lions (pride), wild elephants (ignorance), fire (anger), snakes (jealousy), robbers (wrong views), imprisonment (greed), floods (attachment), and demons (doubt).

2. Swift Activity and Success
Because Tara is often depicted with one leg extended stepping out from her lotus throne she is seen as ready to spring into action. Tibetans perform this puja to clear obstacles for new projects, business ventures, or health recovery.

3. The Path to Enlightenment
Beyond worldly help, the puja is a spiritual tool. By meditating on Tara’s qualities, practitioners aim to cultivate those same qualities fearlessness, wisdom, and compassion within themselves, eventually attaining their own enlightenment.

4. Universal Motherhood
Tara is viewed as a mother figure who listens to the cries of her children without judgment. This creates a deep emotional and devotional bond, making the puja one of the most popular and frequently performed rituals in both monasteries and lay households.