Green Tara – The Mother of all Buddhas

Green Tara or Dholma, revered as a central figure in Tibetan Buddhism, is the embodiment of active compassion and a swift protector against obstacles. Known as Shyama Tara, or the "Green Liberator," she is a female Buddha in the Mahayana tradition who embodies the energy of compassionate action. As the "Mother of All Buddhas," Green Tara is believed to respond quickly to those in need, providing assistance, courage, and the protection needed to overcome physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges. Her iconography, gestures, and attributes each hold deep symbolism, reflecting her role as a compassionate and powerful guide.

Iconography and Physical Depiction

Green Tara is traditionally depicted as a youthful, compassionate deity with a radiant green hue, symbolizing her connection to vitality, renewal, and nature. Her seated posture embodies a blend of serene contemplation and active readiness, a powerful indication of her ever-present willingness to assist those who invoke her. Unlike other Buddhas seated in full meditation poses, Green Tara’s posture reflects her unique nature; she sits in a relaxed yet ready position, often called the "royal ease" pose, or Lalitasana. Her right leg extends forward, ready to step down into action, while her left leg remains drawn up, embodying both repose and responsiveness.

Symbolic Gestures

Green Tara’s rich symbolic gestures convey deep spiritual meaning. The positioning of Green Tara’s hands, known as mudras, or sacred gestures, convey her qualities of generosity, protection, and fearlessness.

1. Right Hand – Varada Mudra (Gesture of Giving): Green Tara’s right hand is extended outward, resting gently on her right knee, palm open and facing outward in the Varada Mudra. This gesture of generosity is a sign of her promise to help those in need, bestow blessings, and fulfill the wishes of her devotees. Often, her open palm is adorned with a lotus or a blue utpala flower, a symbol of purity, renewal, and compassionate action.
2. Left Hand – Abhaya Mudra (Gesture of Protection & Fearlessness): Her left hand is raised near her chest, with the palm open and facing outward in the Abhaya Mudra, symbolizing fearlessness and protection. This mudra embodies Tara’s vow to protect her followers from fear, danger, and negative emotions. In her left hand, she also holds a fully blossomed blue utpala flower, symbolizing the purity and clarity of wisdom. This flower, often in various stages of bloom (a bud, partially open, and fully open), represents her connection to past, present, and future, as well as the timeless continuity of her wisdom.

Attributes and Symbolism

Green Tara is adorned with various attributes, each representing a different aspect of her enlightened qualities, her compassion, and her protective power.

• Colour: Her vibrant Green color symbolizes active compassion and the dynamic energy she brings to her followers. It reflects her ability to swiftly overcome obstacles and respond to the needs of those who call upon her.
• Posture: Green Tara is often displayed seated in a relaxed yet ready posture, with her right leg extended forward, ready to step down into action, while her left leg remains drawn up, embodying both repose and responsiveness. This position signifies her preparedness to spring into action at a moment's notice, embodying her role as a protector and savior.
• Facial Expression: Green Tara’s face is often depicted with a gentle, knowing smile that radiates warmth and kindness. Her serene expression reflects the deep compassion she extends to all beings, reflecting her role as a protector and nurturer in Buddhist practice. With eyes softened by empathy and a subtle smile that speaks of unconditional love, she embodies the compassionate embrace she offers to all beings, inviting them to find comfort and strength in her presence. Her expression serves as a reminder of her boundless love and her swift readiness to come to the aid of those in need, embodying the nurturing qualities of a protective mother.
• Third Eye: Some depictions of Green Tara feature a third eye on her forehead, an emblem of her profound spiritual insight. This eye signifies her ability to see the truth beyond superficial appearances and to perceive the suffering of beings in need. It reflects her readiness to offer compassionate support and assist those who call upon her.
• Jewel-Encrusted Crown and Ornaments: Tara is adorned with a crown and other exquisite jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and anklets, which reflect her royal, enlightened qualities. These ornaments signify her divine wisdom and compassionate nature. Unlike material wealth, her adornments represent the internal riches of wisdom, virtue, and enlightened compassion. The jewels also signify the transformation of worldly attachment into a source of liberation for all sentient beings.
• Blue Utpala Lotus Flowers: Green Tara’s blue utpala flowers hold profound symbolic meaning. These lotuses, often depicted as blooming at different stages, represent her timeless nature and connection to the past, present, and future. The flower’s stages of blooming illustrate the continuity of wisdom, while the lotus itself stands for purity, rising above the mud to reveal its beauty—symbolizing the ability of pure wisdom and compassion to transcend suffering and attachment.

Mantra and Devotional Practice

Green Tara’s presence is strongly invoked through her mantra, one of the most widely recited in Tibetan Buddhism: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha

This mantra is a powerful invocation of Green Tara’s energy, believed to bring protection, remove obstacles, and provide inner peace. Each part of the mantra holds significance. “Om” is a universal sound that represents the essence of the universe, and “Tare Tuttare Ture” refers to Tara in her capacity to swiftly liberate beings from the dual aspects of mundane fears and deeper spiritual obstacles. “Svaha” is an expression of offering and surrender, completing the mantra with an act of dedication. Reciting this mantra is believed to awaken her swift, compassionate response, protecting against fears, obstacles, and suffering, and bringing spiritual blessings to the practitioner.

Symbolic Importance and Role in Buddhism

Green Tara is often considered a liberation from the “Eight Great Fears,” representing various dangers that may arise physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These fears traditionally include protection from the dangers of lions, elephants, fire, snakes, thieves, water, imprisonment, and demons – symbolic of both literal and metaphorical threats. In contemporary practice, these eight fears are interpreted more broadly to include inner obstacles like pride, delusion, attachment, and ignorance, from which Tara provides liberation.

As a mother figure, Green Tara embodies the qualities of mercy and maternal protection. Devotees often call upon her for personal guidance, assistance in overcoming obstacles, and for blessings to embark on spiritual endeavors. Her compassionate nature, willingness to respond instantly, and her ability to assist practitioners on both mundane and spiritual levels make her a beloved figure for Buddhists across many traditions.

Artistic Representation and Craftsmanship

In traditional Tibetan and Nepali art, statues and thangkas (sacred paintings) of Green Tara are meticulously crafted, with attention to details like her hand gestures, facial expressions, and jewelry to reflect her compassionate nature. Artisans, particularly those in Patan, Nepal, apply their skills in metalwork and painting to create exquisite representations of Tara, using techniques like the Lost Wax Method, 24-karat gold gilding, and intricate hand carvings to enhance her divine form. These statues and paintings are not only works of art but serve as devotional aids, inviting the presence of Tara into sacred spaces and offering practitioners a focal point for meditation.

In these artworks, the lotus flowers, jewelry, and green hue all carry rich symbolism, and the precision of craftsmanship ensures that each piece captures Green Tara’s qualities of compassion, readiness, and spiritual power.

Significance of Green Tara

Green Tara is a profound symbol of active compassion, spiritual protection, and inner transformation. Her gestures and attributes serve as a reminder of the swift aid and fearless protection she offers to those in need. For practitioners, she is not only a deity to venerate but a guiding force embodying the highest ideals of compassion and action. Invoking Green Tara through prayer, mantra, or meditation opens a path for practitioners to connect with her qualities, drawing upon her presence for support, courage, and liberation from obstacles. Through her timeless wisdom and compassionate action, Green Tara continues to inspire, uplift, and protect those who seek her guidance.