Green Tara is an enlightened female Buddha who embodies swift, fearless compassion and protects beings from fear and obstacles. In Tibetan Buddhism she is one of the most beloved deities, known for responding quickly to prayers and helping practitioners bring courageous, compassionate action into the world. Tara Mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center and international community in the mountains near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, dedicated to Tara and the sacred feminine. Green Tara and the 21 Taras are at the heart of Tara Mandala’s lineage, temple, and practice life, guiding retreats, online programs, and community practice across the globe.
What is Deity Yoga with Green Tara?
One of the defining practices of Vajrayana Buddhism is Deity Yoga, a method for transforming how we see ourselves and reality. Deity Yoga is often misunderstood as worshipping an external figure, but in Tara Mandala’s lineage it is a practice of recognition and embodiment. In Deity Yoga, we relate to Tara not as a distant goddess but as a mirror of our deepest potential. We bring to mind Tara’s form, mantra, and qualities, then gradually “become” Tara within the meditation, dissolving the sense of separation between our ordinary self and our awakened nature.
Practicing with Green Tara in this way helps us recognize our own capacity for swift compassionate action, transform fear and anxiety into courage and confidence, and train in the union of wisdom and compassion. As Lama Tsultrim Allione teaches, “To feel yourself as Tara is a powerful enhancement of confidence in our awakened qualities.” Instead of praying to Tara as someone separate, we connect with and gradually embody her qualities so they can flow into our speech, actions, and relationships.
Why is Green Tara especially relevant now?
Green Tara is especially relevant in our fast-changing world. She is known as a swift protector from outer and inner dangers, including fear, injustice, war, and environmental crises, and is invoked to “take the wind out of fear and suffering.” In daily life, Green Tara’s practice can support meeting personal challenges and loss with resilience and clarity, responding to social and ecological crises without shutting down, and healing internalized patriarchy by encountering the enlightened feminine in a clear, empowered form. When we chant her mantra, visualize her form, or simply call her name, we are invoking our own awakened courage and love. Over time, practitioners discover that Tara is not separate, but inseparable from their own mind and heart.
How can I practice Green Tara through Tara Mandala?
Tara Mandala offers many ways to begin or deepen your relationship with Green Tara and the 21 Taras. Whether you are just starting or are a long-term Vajrayana practitioner, you can enter at the level that fits your experience and interest.
What is yana, by Tara Mandala?
yana is Tara Mandala’s digital dharma hub, where practitioners around the world gather for live and recorded teachings, practice sessions, and community connection. On yana you can join Green Tara practices led by different sanghas and teachers, often on a weekly or monthly basis. Current offerings include Green Tara sadhanas with sanghas in the UK, France, Florida Keys, San Diego, and Australia. These gatherings create a supportive field where you can chant, meditate, and study with others who are drawn to Tara’s path.
Practice pathways with Green Tara at Tara Mandala
How can I engage? | Format | What does it offer?
Join Green Tara sessions on yana | Ongoing online practices | Build weekly or monthly rhythm in a global community focused on Tara.
Watch short Green Tara teachings | On-demand video | Receive accessible introductions and inspiration you can revisit often.
Enroll in a self-paced Green Tara course | Online, at your own pace | Study teachings, mantras, and visualizations in a structured progression.
Attend a retreat at Tara Mandala | On-land in Colorado or online | Deepen practice with guidance from lineage teachers at a dedicated Buddhist retreat center.
How do retreats and oral transmission (lung) work?
In the Vajrayana tradition, many Tara practices are received through an oral transmission known as lung. At Tara Mandala, Green Tara lung and related teachings are offered regularly within retreats and special practice days. Attending a retreat, either on the land in Colorado or online, allows you to receive lung and instructions directly from lineage holders, immerse in daily meditation and chanting supported by temple and land, and clarify how Tara practice fits within your broader spiritual path.
What is the self-paced Green Tara course?
For those who prefer to learn at their own rhythm, Tara Mandala has a self-paced online course available on a sadhana of Green Tara and is in development for a course focused on the 21 Taras. A self-paced course allows you to revisit teachings, mantras, and visualizations many times, integrating them into daily life. It typically includes video teachings on Green Tara’s origin and symbolism, guided meditations and visualization instructions, reflections and journaling prompts, and optional community spaces or live sessions.
Who Are the 21 Taras?
Green Tara is often described as the primary or root Tara whose enlightened activity manifests in twenty-one distinct forms. Each of the 21 Taras embodies a specific aspect of enlightened compassion, such as protection from fear, increase of merit, removal of obstacles, or healing from illness. In the traditional Praise to the 21 Taras, these forms are invoked in a sequence that has been practiced for centuries across Tibetan Buddhist lineages. At Tara Mandala, the 21 Taras are honored in the temple’s statues, plaques, and teachings, and are explored through programs, books, and artistic offerings.
1.
Homage To Tara NYURMA PAMO
Swift Heroine Who Increases Bodhichitta and Overpowers Obstacles
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE BODHICITTA SVAHA
NYURMA PAMO is semi-wrathful and red in color. She liberates beings from the suffering of samsara and protects them from fear. With her compassionate power, she removes obstacles and increases bodhicitta, awakened heart. Upon her utpala flower is a white conch shell that curls clockwise, symbolizing the glorious sound of relative and absolute bodhicitta pervading the entire world.
2.
Homage To Tara LOTER YANG CHENMA (VAJRA SARASVATI)
Melodious One, the Treasure of Intelligence
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE PRAJNA HRIM HRIM SVAHA
LOTER YANG CHENMA is peaceful and white in color. She unlocks the treasures of music, art, wisdom, and the four types of knowledge: meaning, phenomena, definitive words, and courageous eloquence. Upon her utpala flower is a clear mirror marked with the syllable HRIM, which radiates light. Her face glows with the white light of one hundred autumn full moons.
3.
Homage To Tara SERMO SÖNAM TOBKYÉ
Golden One Who Increases the Power of Merit
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MAHA PUNYE SVAHA
SERMO SÖNAM TOBKYÉ is peaceful and golden yellow in color. Her body radiates light the color of the rising sun, empowering practitioners to enact oceans of bodhisattva activities. She bestows wealth and longevity and liberates beings through the six paramitas: generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, meditative stability, and transcendent wisdom. Upon her utpala flower is a wish fulfilling-jewel that showers down whatever one desires.
4.
Homage To Tara TSUGTOR NAMGYALMA (USHNISHAVIYAYA)
Victorious One of Ushnisha Who Accomplishes Immortality
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE AYUR DATE BHRUM SVAHA
TSUGTOR NAMGYALMA is peaceful and golden yellow in color. She emanates from the crown chakra of the Buddha as Prajnaparamita. She is victorious over all non-virtue and afflictive emotions. Upon her utpala flower is a vase of immortality that radiates light in the ten directions. This light transforms the radiant essence of samsara and nirvana into nectar that fills her vase.
5.
Homage To Tara RIGJÉ LHAMO (KURUKULLÉ)
Magnetizing Goddess of Vedic Knowledge
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE KURU KULLE NRI DZA SVAHA
RIGJÉ LHAMO is semi-wrathful and red in color. The mantra TUTTARE blazes with rainbow light. Its sound magnetizes and conquers through the power arising from the union of emptiness and compassion. Upon her utpala flower is a bow and arrow poised to shoot sharp rays of light that destroy arrogant pride. She effortlessly accomplishes the four enlightened actions: pacifying, enriching, magnetizing, and subduing.
6.
Homage To Tara JIGJÉ CHENMO
Great Terrifying Lady Who Completely Destroys Negativity
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA BIGHNEN BAM HUNG PHAT SVAHA
JIGJÉ CHENMO is wrathful and dark red in color. She is worshipped and praised by all, and her power subdues all negative forces. Upon her utpala flower is an indestructible phurba, a ritual dagger that subdues negativity, surrounded by blazing lassoes of flames and sparks. This turbulent fire and its natural sound, HUNG, splits the heads of demons and obstructing spirits who cause delusion, insanity, and memory loss, rendering them unconscious in the state of suchness, never to rise again.
7.
Homage To Tara ZHENGYI MITUBMA
Unconquerable Fierce Lady Who Dispels Wars and Natural Disasters
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE VAJRA TAKA HANA LITSA PHAT SVAHA
ZHENGYI MITUBMA is wrathful and black, like dense storm clouds. By the ripping sound of the wrathful seed syllable TRET and the splitting sound of PHAT, she completely destroys the spells of enemies, evil deeds, hail, lightning, natural disasters, invading troops, and weapons of mass destruction. Upon her utpala flower is a sword blazing with fire. She is ablaze with masses of wisdom fire. From her compassionate furrowed brow fly meteors and sparks.
8.
Homage To Tara ZHEN MIGYALWA’I PAMO
Invincible Heroine Who Destroys Criticism and Harm
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE DAHA PATSA HUNG PHAT SVAHA
ZHEN MIGYALWA’I PAMO is wrathful and dark red in color. Her compassion is as swift as lightning, and she completely destroys the four demons. Upon her utpala flower is a vajra blazing with fire. Sparks radiate outward, completely burning, scattering, and destroying demons, disturbing emotions, argument-makers, lawsuits, and other troubles.
9.
Homage To Tara SENGDENG NAG
Noble Lady Tara of the Teak Forest Who Protects from All Fears
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE DANA TRAYA SVAHA
SENGDENG NAG is peaceful and blue green like an emerald. She protects beings from the eight great fears, each of which have an outer and inner aspect: water/attachment, thieves/false views, lions/pride, snakes/jealousy, fire/anger, spirits/doubt, imprisonment/greed, and elephants/ignorance. Upon her utpala flower is a universal wheel blazing with turbulent light that tames beings by means appropriate to their needs.
10.
Homage To Tara JIGTEN SUMLÉ GYALMA
Victorious Over the Three Worlds, She Who Overpowers the Universe
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE LOKA PASHAM KURU SVAHA
JIGTEN SUMLÉ GYALMA is peaceful and red in color. Rainbow light emanates from her body and the victory banner upon her utpala flower, overpowering all the gods of the desire realm. She brings supreme joy to all beings. The mantra of her speech, endowed with the eight modes of laughter − HA HAA, HI HII, HE HAI, HO HAU − empowers all beings, setting them on the path of liberation.
11.
Homage To Tara NORTERMA
Bestowing Wealth and Removing Poverty
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MAMA BASU PUSHTIM KURU SVAHA
NORTERMA is semi-wrathful and golden red in color. Her shower of blessings fills the entire world, completely liberating sentient beings from the suffering of poverty. Upon her utpala flower is a treasure vase that grants all wishes. The light of the syllable HUNG radiates from her body, speech, and mind, showering down all the wealth and glory of gods, nagas, and humans.
12.
Homage To Tara TASHI DÖNJÉ MA
Accomplishing Auspiciousness, Bringing Timely Seasons, Prosperity, and Harmony to the Land
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MANGALAM SHRI MAHA PANI SVAHA
TASHI DÖNJÉ MA is peaceful and gold in color. A rain of nectar and auspicious symbols descends from her body, benefitting all beings, plants, and harvests, establishing the entire world in perfect balance and prosperity. Upon her utpala flower is an auspicious infinity knot. Atop her crown are Buddha Amitabha and a crescent moon. Light radiates from her body, the infinity knot, the crescent moon, and Buddha Amitabha.
13.
Homage To Tara YULLAY GYALJÉ
Victorious Over War and Other Obstacles With and Without Form
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE VAJRA DZAWALA PHAT PHAT RAKSHA RAKSHA SVAHA
YULLAY GYALJÉ is semi-wrathful, has three eyes, and is red in color. She brings infinite joy to all beings and protects them from war and obstacles. Upon her utpala flower stands a vajra with open prongs. Light and sparkling vajras radiate from the open vajra, annihilating the hosts of enemies and harm-doers, completely surrounding everything with an indestructible vajra tent.
14.
Homage To Tara TRONYER CHENMA
Frowning Lady, Destroying Evil of the Nine Kinds of Harm-Doers, Eight Classes of Spirits, and Obstructing Forces
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE HUNG HUNG HAM SHAM TRIG NAN PHAT SVAHA
TRONYER CHENMA is wrathful, frowning, and black like dense rain clouds. With the roaring sound of HUNG she radiates light and flaming vajras that split the heads of negative forces and demons causing them to fall unconscious in the state of dharmata (suchness). Upon her utpala flower is a pestle. Her hands and feet strike the earth, stamping out ignorance and causing the ground to tremble.
15.
Homage To Tara RABZHIMA
Perfectly Calm One, Pacifying Evil Deeds and Obscurations
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA PAPAM GATE GATE SVAHA
RABZHIMA is peaceful, white like the full moon, and smiling. Upon her utpala flower is an anointing vase filled with nectar. Countless purifying goddesses holding anointing vases emanate from her heart. The light that radiates from her, and the bath bestowed by the emanated goddesses, wash away all evil deeds and obscurations that cause rebirth in the lower realms.
16.
Homage To Tara RIG NGAG TOBZHOM
Destroyer of the Power of Evil Spells Cast by Enemies and Sorcerers
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE TRAM DU TRINA TRAM DU PHAT SVAHA
RIG NGAG TOBZHOM is peaceful and red in color. The light of her wisdom, compassion, and power completely destroys enemies, evil spells, and Mara, lord of negative forces. She grants the power of true speech to those who pray to her. Upon her utpala flower is a crossed vajra that completely destroys the power of curses, evil, and all negativity.
Special note: at times Drölma Rigngag Tobzhoma is depicted and described as peaceful and at other times as fierce, as in the Smile of Sun and Moon on which the Tara Mandala statues are based.
17.
Homage To Tara PAGMÉ NÖNMA
Boundless Subduer Who Binds Enemies, Robbers, Thieves, and Hunters
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE HUNG HUNG BAM HO SVAHA
PAGMÉ NÖNMA is peaceful and golden red in color like clouds at sunrise. With her magical power, she subjugates bandits, robbers, thieves, hunters, and all enemies, establishing sentient beings in bliss. Upon her utpala flower is a stupa. From the HUNG in her heart, rays of light in the form of countless HUNG syllables radiate out. Peaceful and quick to tame sentient beings, she stamps her two feet on the earth.
18.
Homage To Tara MAJA CHENMO
Great Peacock, Protecting from and Pacifying All Kinds of Poison
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA VISHA TARA PHAT SVAHA
MAJA CHENMO is peaceful and white in color. She protects from poison. Upon her utpala flower is a full moon marked with a rabbit. From this, rays of nectar light radiate, spreading in all directions and completely removing all poisons from the environment and sentient beings. The moon symbolizes self-arisen wisdom that is free from increasing and decreasing, transition or change.
19.
Homage To Tara DUGKARMO
Invincible Queen of the White Umbrella Who Dispels Conflicts and Bad Dreams
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE HUNG HUNG PHAT PHAT RAKSHA RAKSHA MAM SVAHA
DUGKARMO is peaceful and white in color. Meditating upon her and reciting her mantra brings joy and bliss, causing the practitioner’s body, speech, and mind to blaze with power and splendor. Upon her utpala flower is a white umbrella. Fire, weapons, and vajra sparks emanate from her body, completely uprooting hostility toward the dharma, worldly disputes, curses, misuse of mantric power, and negative signs in dreams.
20.
Homage To Tara RITRÖ LOMA GYÖNMA
Noble Lady of Mountain Retreat, Clothed in Leaves, Who Removes Contagious Diseases
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE NAMA TARE MANO HARA HUNG HARA SVAHA
RITRÖ LOMA GYÖNMA is peaceful and yellow red like saffron. Devotedly reciting her mantra dispels all deadly epidemics. Upon her utpala flower is a round vessel filled with nectar. Her eyes are like the sun and the full moon. From the sun of her right eye shines radiant light, destroying all disease-bearing beings. From the moon of her left eye, a rich stream of nectar descends healing all forms of disease, including their causes and consequences.
21.
Homage To Tara LHAMO ÖZER CHENMA
Goddess Endowed With Light Who Replenishes the Longevity and Life Force of the Sick
Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MARITSE YE TSE BHRUM NRI DZA SVAHA
LHAMO ÖZER CHENMA is peaceful and white in color. She radiates light, instantly summoning all evil spirits who steal the vitality and longevity of the sick. Upon her utpala flower is a golden fish. Light radiates from the three syllables OM AH HUNG of her body, speech, and mind, completely pacifying all obstacles: outer forces, inner imbalance of the elements, and secret obstacles of dualistic grasping at afflictive emotions.
Photo Credit: Alan Kozlowski
What is the 21 Taras Collective and Tara Mala trilogy?
The 21 Taras Collective is a collaboration that brings the mantras of all 21 Taras into a musical journey. The Collective features Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton, Nina Rao, and Genevieve Walker, three women whose paths weave together dharma, mantra, and sacred sound. Their Tara Mala trilogy is an integrated musical collection of the 21 Tara mantras, with each mantra set to a melody that honors traditional sacred sound while inviting contemporary practitioners into chant and devotion. The project is described as taking the wind out of fear and suffering, pointing to Tara’s capacity to calm and transform turbulent emotional and collective energies. Through the 21 Taras Collective, practitioners can learn and internalize each Tara’s mantra, feel the energetic flavor of different Taras, and participate in a living mandala of practice through retreats, online offerings, and community circles.
What is the Thangka of 1,000 Taras?
A one-of-a-kind Thangka depicting 1,000 unique Taras has been entrusted to Tara Mandala to support the Trikaya Tara Temple. At the center of the thangka sits Green Tara, surrounded by 999 radiant Taras, each delicately painted with a single-hair brush. This thangka is both sacred artwork and a living field of practice. Practitioners and visitors can sit before it in the temple at Tara Mandala’s retreat center near Pagosa Springs, connecting visually and meditatively with the many faces of Tara’s compassionate activity. Many Taras on the thangka remain available for sponsorship, allowing you to dedicate a Tara in honor of yourself, a loved one, a community, or all beings while supporting Tara Mandala’s vision and the ongoing care of the temple.
How Can the Tara Collection Support My Practice at Home?
Tara Mandala’s Dakini Store offers a curated Tara Collection designed to support Green Tara and 21 Taras practice at home. The collection includes Green Tara statues, thangkas, prayer flags, malas, sadhana texts, and other sacred items. These offerings can help you establish a home shrine, bring Tara’s presence into daily life through visual reminders and ritual objects, and offer meaningful gifts to friends, family, or sangha members drawn to the path of the 21 Taras.
What Books and Programs Can Help Me Embody Tara’s Qualities?
Embodying Tara: Twenty-One Manifestations to Awaken Your Innate Wisdom is a contemporary guide that introduces the 21 Taras through meditation practices, teachings, and stories of women who personify Tara’s qualities in real life. Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton offers down-to-earth meditations and reflections that help readers recognize Tara as a living presence within their own experience. Each Tara becomes a set of enlightened qualities and a mantra, a mirror for aspects of mind and body, and a doorway into deeper Vajrayana practice and community engagement. The book can be used for personal study or in group circles exploring Tara’s path together.
What is the Two-Year 21 Taras Program?
For those called to a more immersive journey, Tara Mandala offers a two-year program focused on embodying the innate wisdom and compassion of the Twenty One Taras. This program is guided by Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton, Lopön Karla Jackson-Brewer MS, Nina Rao, Spring Washam, and special guests such as Lama Tsultrim Allione and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche. Practitioners study each Tara in depth, explore how Tara’s qualities show up in the lives of historic and modern women, and engage with music, mantra, ritual, and community processes that bring the 21 Taras alive in the context of personal and collective healing.
Green Tara and the 21 Taras: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Green Tara?
Green Tara is an enlightened female Buddha who embodies fearless, swift compassion and protects from fear and obstacles. She is often called the Mother of the Buddhas and is especially known for helping practitioners take compassionate action in the world.
What are the 21 Taras?
The 21 Taras are twenty-one manifestations of Tara’s enlightened activity, each associated with specific qualities, mantras, and visualizations. They include forms that pacify fears, remove obstacles, increase merit and prosperity, and heal illness and psychological distress.
Do I need empowerment to practice Green Tara?
Many simple forms of Tara practice, such as reciting the main mantra or reading the Praise to the 21 Taras, can be done without formal empowerment when approached as devotional or preparatory practice. For sadhana practices within a specific Vajrayana lineage, receiving lung and guidance from a qualified teacher is important, and Tara Mandala provides such opportunities through retreats and programs.
How can I start practicing with Tara through Tara Mandala?
You can begin by attending an online Green Tara practice on yana, watching a short Green Tara or Illuminating Tara teaching, reading Embodying Tara or related Tara Mandala blog posts, and joining a retreat or longer program when you feel ready.
How do Green Tara and the 21 Taras relate to the sacred feminine?
Tara is one of the most prominent expressions of the sacred feminine in Tibetan Buddhism, representing the wisdom and compassion of all Buddhas in female form. The 21 Taras reveal the diversity of the feminine principle, from fierce protectors to nurturing healers, and offer a path for all genders to integrate these qualities.
How can I support Tara Mandala’s Tara-related projects?
You can support by sponsoring a Tara on the Thangka of 1,000 Taras, contributing to the 21 Taras Collective’s musical offerings, participating in programs, and making donations that sustain Tara Mandala’s temple and teaching activities. Each act of support strengthens a mandala dedicated to preserving and sharing Tara’s wisdom from Tara Mandala’s land in Colorado to practitioners worldwide.