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Who is Green Tara?
Green Tara is a female Buddha (or enlightened bodhisattva, depending on the Buddhist tradition). She represents:
- Compassion in action
- Protection from fear and danger
- Swift assistance to those in need
- Wisdom joined with loving-kindness
Unlike a distant deity, Tara is understood by practitioners as an enlightened presence who responds quickly to sincere requests for help.
The mantra
The mantra usually recited is:
Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha
(also spelled Svaha)
There is no single literal translation because mantras are sacred sounds rather than ordinary sentences, but a common interpretation is:
- Om – the universal sacred sound; invoking enlightened body, speech, and mind.
- Tare – "Liberator"; Tara frees beings from suffering.
- Tuttare – liberates from fears, obstacles, and negative emotions.
- Ture – grants swift spiritual awakening and freedom.
- Soha (Svaha) – "May this take root" or "May this blessing be established."
Overall, the mantra is often understood as:
"O Tara, liberate me from fear, obstacles, and suffering, and guide me toward awakening."
Why 108 recitations?
The number 108 is sacred in Buddhism, Hinduism, and other Eastern traditions.
Common explanations include:
- 108 human defilements or negative mental states to overcome.
- 108 beads on a mala (prayer beads).
- A complete cycle
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