Ngari Institute Foundation

GESHE TSEWANG DORJE’S GREEN TARA RETREAT

Written by:
Dr. Ngawang Yeshi

Dear Dharma Brothers and Sisters,

Hello! On behalf of Geshe Tsewang Dorje la, I would like to share how Geshe la is these days. For the last week, Geshe la has been solely meditating on Green Tara in Ngari Institute Retreat Room No. 1.

Ngari Institute Retreat Room No. 1

His practice is specifically dedicated to all the mother sentient beings who have been fighting COVID-19 since last year. Here, Tara represents the wisdom and compassion of all the enlightened beings in a female form.

 

Green Tara Altar
Statues of Sakyamuni Buddha and Green Tara

In this critical time of the world, when many are suffering from coronavirus, it is very important to practice the Tara Sadhana. At the end of the sadhana, Geshe la will conduct the Tara fire puja for complete freedom from fear of the virus.

Geshe Tsewang Dorje during the Green Tara Retreat

Today, allover the world, Buddhist devotees are wholeheartedly practicing the Tara puja by reciting the Mantra of Tara in their daily lives. His Holiness the Dalai Lama advises all devotees who believe in the practice of Tara to do this practice, which is very beneficial for preventing the virus. In addition, meditation on Tara is a very powerful way to identify and connect with our own inner potential for wisdom and compassion. It also helps eliminate obstacles to the spiritual path and enables us to work for others, especially during the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sadhana is based on the Guru Yoga of Chittamani Tara and will take Geshe la more than two weeks to complete. After the end of his retreat, Geshe la would like to conduct a Tara fire puja with Ngari’s Sangha on behalf of everyone in Ngari’s family, both within Ladakh and abroad. I would like to suggest that you recite the Praise to the Twenty-One Taras (abbreviated version). This single verse was received directly from Arya Tara by the great teacher, Jowo Atisha, for the swift collection of meritorious energy.

Sincerely,

Lama Yeshi

Secretary, Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics

(Edited by Barbara Resch)

Praise to the Twenty-One Taras (AbbreviatedVersion)

OM I prostrate to the goddess foe destroyer, liberating lady Tara.

Homage to TARE, savioress, heroine,

With TUTTARE dispelling all fears,

Granting all benefits with TURE,

To her with sound SVAHA, I bow.

Tara Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SVAHA

(Repeat 3, 21, or 108 times in your daily practice.)

 

The Benefits of Reciting the Praise

The wise one endowed with pure respect for the goddess,

Who recites these praises with perfect devotion

Remembering her in the evening and upon waking at dawn,

Will be endowed with complete freedom from fear.

All their sins will be pacified,

Causing destruction to all lower realms.

And the seven million Victorious Ones

Will quickly grant them empowerment.

Thus, they will attain greatness, and progress

To the stage of Buddhahood.

By remembering Her, the most violent poisons

Abiding in the earth or in beings

Whether eaten or drunk

Will be completely removed.

This can eliminate various sufferings

Inflicted by the spirits, epidemics, and poisons

Even if done for the sake of other beings.

On sincerely reciting twice, three times, and seven times

The wish to have a child will be fulfilled

And the desire for wealth can be achieved.

All the wishes will be fulfilled,

Every hindrance destroyed in its turn.

Praises to the Twenty-one Taras and the Root Mantra

GESHE TSEWANG DORJE’S GREEN TARA RETREAT

GESHE TSEWANG DORJE’S GREEN TARA RETREAT