Green Tara and White Tara - Feminist Ideals in Buddhism

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Here is the latest piece put together by me.

 

 

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Article of the Month - November 2000

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Green Tara and White Tara - Feminist Ideals in Buddhism

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Goddess Tara, a female Buddha and meditational deity, is arguably

the most popular goddess in the Buddhist pantheon. She is

considered to be the goddess of universal compassion who

represents virtuous and enlightened activity.

 

The word Tara itself is derived from the root 'tri' (to cross),

hence the implied meaning:' the one who enables living beings to

cross the Ocean of Existence and Suffering'. Her compassion for

living beings, her desire to save them from suffering, is said to

be even stronger than a mother's love for her children.

 

The story of Tara's origin, according to the Tara Tantra,

recounts that aeons ago she was born as a king's daughter. A

spiritual and compassionate princess, she regularly gave

offerings and prayers to the ordained monks and nuns. She thus

developed great merit, and the monks told her that, because of

her spiritual attainments, they would pray that she be reborn as

a man and spread Buddhist teachings. She responded that there was

no male and no female, that nothing existed in reality, and that

she wished to remain in female form to serve other beings until

everyone reached enlightenment, hence implying the shortfall in

the monk's knowledge in presuming only male preachers for the

Buddhist religion. Thus Tara might be considered one of the

earliest feminists.

 

Another legend of Tara is that she was born from the

compassionate tears of Avalokiteshvara (The Buddha of

compassion):

 

"Homage! Tara, swift, heroic! With a glance like flashing

lightning, born from a blooming lotus sprung from the tears on

the face of the Lord of the World!"

 

.....Chapter III, Tara Tantra.

 

The above verse refers to the legend of Tara's origin.

Avalokiteshvara was looking down from his heaven on the world of

suffering beings, and he wept to see that more and more of them

were in pain. From the tears streaming down his face two Taras

were born, a peaceful white one from the left and a fierce green

one from the right. Tara is thus also often referred to as

Avalokiteshvara's consort.

 

In a historical sense, Tara is associated with the two pious and

virtuous wives of Tibet's first great religious king, Songsten

Gambo (d. 649). White Tara is associated with his wife from

imperial China, Wen Cheng, and Green Tara is identified with

Bhrkuti, his Nepalese wife.

 

To the Buddhists the symbolism of color is of great import. The

sadhanas (ancient manuals laying down procedures for worship) are

very particular in stipulating the colors of the deities

visualized. This color is intended not only to unfold the nature

of the deity represented but also to indicate the functions to be

performed by that deity. Specifically colors are used in the

paintings under a definite mystic scheme, based on the psychic

experiences of the sadhaka (worshipper).

 

No wonder then that her devotees visualize Tara in a myriad

variety of colors:

 

'Some have a vision of you (Tara) as red as the sun with rays

more brilliant and red than the lac and the vermilion. Others see

you blue like the sapphire. Some again see you whiter than the

milk churned out of the milky ocean. Still others see you golden.

Your visva-rupa is like a crystal which changes its color with

the change of the things around it.'

 

.....Arya-Tara-sragdhara-stotra

 

Illustration : http://www.exoticindiaart.com/buddha/ze32.jpg

(Size - 108 kb)

 

 

The most popular of all the known forms of Tara are the widely

worshipped Green and White Taras. It is believed that the first

artists modeled Green Tara on a young virgin, and the White Tara

on a physically mature, voluptuous woman. Thus traditionally

whereas the Green Tara is visualized as young girl having a

mischievous and playful nature, the White Tara is represented as

a mature woman, full-breasted and wise. This tradition survives

to the present times.

 

 

Green Tara:

 

Green Tara is Tara's most dynamic manifestation. Her color

symbolizes youthful vigor and activity. The Buddhist Lord of

karma (action), Amoghasiddhi, is also associated with the green

color, thus signifying that they belong to the same family. This

is a further affirmation of the perception that Green Tara is a

goddess of action.

 

She is often depicted in a posture of ease with right leg

extended, signifying her readiness to spring into action. The

left leg is folded in the contemplative position on the lotus

pedestal, the two together thus symbolizing the integration of

wisdom and art.

 

Her left hand, in the gesture of granting refuge holds the stem

of a blue lotus that floats over her left shoulder as a symbol of

purity and power. With her right hand she makes the boon-granting

gesture.

 

Illustration : http://www.exoticindiaart.com/buddha/ze41.jpg

(Size - 121 kb)

 

On a lotus seat, standing for realization of

voidness,

(You are) the emerald-colored, one-faced,

two-armed Lady

In youth's full bloom, right leg out, left

drawn in,

Showing the union of wisdom and art-

homage to you!

Like the outstretched branch of the heavenly

turquoise tree,

Your supple right hand makes the boon-

granting gesture,

Inviting the wise to a feast of supreme

accomplishments,

As if to an entertainment-homage to you!

Your left hand gives us refuge, showing the

Three Jewels;

It says, "You people who see a hundred

dangers,

Don't be frightened-I shall swiftly save

you!"

Homage to you!

Both hands signal with blue blue utpala flowers,

"Samsaric beings! Cling not to worldly

pleasures.

Enter the great city of liberation!"

Flower-goads prodding us to effort-

homage to you!

 

.......First Dalai Lama (1391-1474).

 

 

In visual arts she is shown as resembling an exceptionally lovely

human being in everything but the color of her skin and the

splendor of her ornaments. The slender, long proportioned body of

the goddess is shown dusky olive green in color and her coloring

reverberates against the striped cushion of her throne back. The

painting technique itself is extremely refined, the pigment flat

and thin, and it does not emphasize linear outlining except in

the most subtle way. The mysterious and intriguing nature of

Green Tara is marvelously captured in the medium of painting by

the ingenious blending of the typical iconographical setting with

the color scheme.

 

Illustration : http://www.exoticindiaart.com/buddha/ze24.jpg

(Size - 122 kb)

 

As for jewelry, beautiful golden, red and green jewels adorn her.

Her jewelry includes white bracelets, several necklaces with many

pendant gems, and a multi stringed, long jewel chain that

sinuously falls around her body and over her right arm.

 

In a heavenly mansion shaped by the artist of

the gods,

Inconceivable celestial wish-granting gems,

Most beautiful, wrought into fascinating

ornaments,

Fully adorn you-homage to you!

 

Like an emerald mountain clothed in

rainbows,

Your upper body is draped in heavenly silks,

Your lovely supple, slender waist supports

A skirt of five bright colors-homage to you!

 

........First Dalai Lama (1391-1474).

 

 

Illustration : http://www.exoticindiaart.com/buddha/ze44.jpg

(Size - 138 kb)

 

The followers of Green Tara believe that her special powers will

help overcome dangers, fears, and anxieties, and that she will

grant wishes. She is also believed to help one cross over from

danger to safety or from suffering to happiness. Her femininity

imbues her with soft and compassionate feelings, and she acts

very quickly and directly as a savioress. Representing active

compassion, she is particularly worshipped for her ability to

overcome the most difficult situations. As the first Dalai Lama

puts it, just by being called to help, she instantaneously saves

the faithful from attacks by the following eight calamities:

 

1) lions and pride,

2) wild elephants and delusions,

3) forest fires and hatred,

4) snakes and envy,

5) robbers and fanatical views,

6) prisons and avarice,

7) floods and lust, and

8) demons and doubts.

 

 

White Tara:

 

White Tara is often referred to as the Mother of all the Buddhas.

She represents the motherly aspect of compassion. Her white

colour indicates purity, but also indicates that she is Truth,

complete and undifferentiated.

 

Illustration : http://www.exoticindiaart.com/buddha/ze60.jpg

(Size - 75 kb)

 

She has seven eyes: the two usual eyes, plus an eye in the centre

of her forehead and eyes in each of her hands and feet. These

indicate that she sees all suffering and all cries for help in

the human world using both ordinary and psychic or extraordinary

means of perception. They thus symbolize the vigilance of her

compassion.

 

Illustration : http://www.exoticindiaart.com/buddha/ze63.jpg

(Size - 61 kb)

 

White Tara has a lovely, young face. Her ornaments are covered in

jewels. Her silk robes and scarves are painted in an

exceptionally lively manner. Her tight fitting garments are

embossed with large, rich floral designs. These filmy garments;

bright gauzy silks fluttering from the shoulders and a series of

many hued silken skirts- leave the slender torso and smoothly

rounded breasts uncovered in the manner of ancient India. The

whole effect is so ravishing that she might well arouse the very

passion she is frequently invoked to calm, were it not that she

inspires the kind of exalted reverence a palace guard might be

expected to feel for a young and lovely princess entrusted to his

care.

 

With her right hand she makes the boon granting gesture and her

left hand, holding the stem of a white lotus flower between her

thumb and fourth finger, is in the protection position.

 

Illustration : http://www.exoticindiaart.com/buddha/ze36.jpg

(Size - 119 kb)

 

The elaborate lotus flower, held in the left hand is called

Utpala. It contains three blooms: the first, with seeds,

symbolizes the past Buddha Kashyapa; the second in full flower,

symbolizes the present Buddha Shakyamuni; and the third, ready to

bloom, symbolizes the future Buddhas Maitreya. This signifies

that White Tara is the essence of all the three Buddhas of the

past, the present and the future.

 

She sits with both legs raised and crossed in the vajra (diamond)

position and regally displays both grace and calm.

 

Illustration : http://www.exoticindiaart.com/brass/zf89.jpg

(Size - 65 kb)

 

Her incomparable beauty have inspired her worshippers to address

her thus:

 

"Radiant as the eternal snows in all their glory, homage to the

Youthful One with full breasts, One face and two arms. And is

filled with great bliss"

 

..........(Unknown)

 

White Tara is an emanation of Tara who is connected with

longevity. She is also the special goddess who helps her

devotees overcome obstacles, particularly impediments to the

practice of religion.

 

Indeed in the vast expanse of Buddhist art the images of the two

Taras with their feminine charm and sophisticated imagery

represent a superior conception unparalleled in any other art

tradition. Open to diverse interpretations both on the sensual

and spiritual planes these two goddesses have inspired

generations of devotee artists to achieve creative heights while

adhering to the strict iconographical cannons laid down in the

ancient texts, and in the process acquiring both spiritual merit

and the boon of the Goddess

 

(Thus ends the newsletter for the month of November 2000)

 

Nitin G.

http://www.exoticindiaart.com