Material: cloth. embroidery. scroll. (Twenty-one Taras)

Size: about 122 x 83 cm

Description:

In Tibetan Buddhism, **Twenty-one Taras** (Tibetan: sgrol man nyer gcig) are the twenty-one incarnations of the Holy Salvation Mother (Tārā), symbolizing compassion, wisdom and the power of rapid salvation. They are the female manifestations of the compassion of Avalokitesvara, helping sentient beings escape from the sea of ​​suffering in samsara and realize worldly and transcendental wishes. The following is a brief description of the meaning and the origin of the myth:

**The meaning of Twenty-one Taras**

1. **The symbol of compassion and salvation**:

- Tara means "savior" and is famous for her quick response to the prayers of sentient beings, like a "first aid station" in Buddhism. Each of the twenty Taras has a different body color, objects and mantras, and provides blessings for different sufferings, such as eliminating disasters (Black Tara), increasing blessings (Yellow Tara), longevity (White Tara), and love (Red Tara).

- Green Tara is the main deity, and governs the merits of the other twenty deities. She represents compassion and action and is widely practiced.

2. **A model for female practice**:

- Tara achieved Buddhahood in a female body, breaking the traditional belief that it is easier to achieve Buddhahood in a male body, highlighting gender equality and female power, and inspiring practitioners to transcend worldly constraints with compassion and wisdom.

3. **Important position in Tantric Buddhism**:

- Belongs to the Lotus Division of Tantric Buddhism, and the Pure Land is "Congye Zhuangyan Land". Practicing Tara Dharma (such as chanting mantras and visualization) can quickly accumulate merit and eliminate obstacles. The "Twenty-one Praises to the Buddha Mother" records the merits and images of each Tara, which is an important basis for practice.

**Origin of the myth**

The origin of the 21 Taras mainly comes from the following two myths and legends, reflecting its close relationship with Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva:

1. **Princess Huiyue's vow**:

- According to the "Origin of the Tara Tantra", in the ancient kalpa, there was a Princess Huiyue (or Prajna Moon) in the colorful world of the Drum Sound Buddha (or Drum Sound King Tathagata). She devoutly offered to the Three Jewels, and the monks suggested that she vow to change her male body in order to become a Buddha. But she made a great vow: "There is no distinction between men and women, all are illusions. I wish to save sentient beings with a female body until the cycle of reincarnation is empty!"

- Princess Huiyue practiced for countless kalpas, became a Buddha, and manifested in the name of "Tara", manifesting 21 forms to benefit sentient beings. The Drum Sound Buddha gave her the name and affirmed her salvation work.

2. **Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva manifested out of compassionate tears**:

- Another legend records that Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva saw that the suffering of sentient beings in the six realms had not been reduced, and shed tears of compassion. The tears turned into a sea of ​​tears, and a lotus was born. Green Tara was born from it, vowing to help Avalokitesvara save sentient beings. Afterwards, 21 Taras manifested from the lotus in the sea of ​​tears, each with a different body color and merits.

- One theory is that the right tear turned into the wise Green Tara, the left tear turned into the compassionate White Tara, and the other Taras further manifested out of compassion.

3. **History of introduction to Tibet**:

- The belief in Tara originated from ancient India, such as the Tara statues in Nalanda Temple. In the 11th century, Atisha personally saw the holy faces of the 21 Taras in Bodh Gaya, and introduced their practice and the "Twenty-one Praises" to Tibet, laying the foundation for Tara worship. Tibetan Buddhists widely practice the Green Tara mantra (Om. Dale. Dudale. Dule. Soha).

**Summary**

The Twenty-Tar Avalokitesvara represents compassion, wisdom and the power of rapid salvation in Tibetan Buddhism. She inspires practitioners with the example of a woman becoming a Buddha. Her mythological story is derived from the vow of Princess Huiyue and the tears of Avalokitesvara, emphasizing the power of women and the spirit of salvation without discrimination. Through the practice of Tara Dharma, believers pray to eliminate obstacles and realize their wishes. Tara has also become one of the most respected deities in Tibetan Buddhism.