Material: Cloth. Printing. Scroll. (Green Tara)

Size: Approximately 122 x 83 cm

Description:

Green Tara (Tibetan: སྒྲོལ་མ།, Drolma) is one of the most important deities in Tibetan Buddhism and the most well-known image in the Tara family. She symbolizes compassion, wisdom and the power of salvation. She is revered as the "Mother of Salvation" in Tibetan Buddhism and is famous for her quick response to the prayers of sentient beings. The following is an overview of the meaning and origin of Green Tara:

**I. The meaning of Green Tara**

1. **Compassion and salvation**:

- Green Tara is regarded as the incarnation of Avalokitesvara, and embodies her qualities of compassion and salvation of sentient beings. She appears in a female image, symbolizing the warmth and protection of motherhood, and is particularly known for her quick rescue of sentient beings from suffering, so she is also called "Speedy Mother of Salvation".

- Her green body represents the energy of "career achievement", especially the power of quick and effective action, which helps practitioners overcome fear, danger and obstacles.

2. **One of the Twenty-one Taras**:

- Green Tara is the most important of the Twenty-one Taras. The Twenty-one Taras have different colors and functions, symbolizing different aspects of the compassion of Avalokitesvara, and Green Tara is the representative of all the merits of Taras.

3. **The Rescuer of the Eight Great Fears**:

- Green Tara is believed to be able to save sentient beings from the "Eight Great Fears", including external dangers (such as fire, flood, thieves, wild beasts, etc.) and internal troubles (such as greed, anger, ignorance, etc.). She is the guardian of practitioners on the secular and spiritual levels.

4. **The combination of wisdom and action**:

- Green Tara not only represents compassion, but also symbolizes the perfect combination of wisdom and action. Her right foot is extended and her left foot is cross-legged, showing that she is ready to get up and help sentient beings at any time, symbolizing the quality of "immediate rescue".

**Second, the origin of Green Tara**

1. **Origin of legend**:

- According to the legend of Tibetan Buddhism, Green Tara was transformed from the tears of Avalokitesvara. It is said that Avalokitesvara saw that sentient beings were deeply trapped in the suffering of reincarnation, and tears of compassion flowed from his right eye, turning into Green Tara; the tears from his left eye turned into White Tara. The two represent compassionate actions and comforting power respectively.

- Another theory is that Tara is the female incarnation of Avalokitesvara to save sentient beings, specializing in helping those sentient beings who pray for help in suffering.

2. **The origin of Indian Buddhism**:

- The belief in Tara originated from Indian Buddhism, became popular around the 6th to 7th century, and was introduced to Tibet with the development of Tantra. The image and rituals of Green Tara are recorded in detail in classics such as "Tara Sutra", and later became an important deity for the practice of various Tibetan Buddhist sects (such as Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug).

3. **Tibetan inheritance**:

- In Tibet, the practice of Green Tara is closely related to the first Dalai Lama, Gendun Drupa, who compiled the practice rituals such as "Twenty-one Praises to Taras", making the belief in Green Tara more popular.

- The mantra of Green Tara, "Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha", is one of the most widely used mantras in Tibetan Buddhism. Believers pray for her blessings and protection by chanting this mantra.

**Three, the image and symbol of Green Tara**

- **Appearance**: Green Tara is usually depicted as a young woman with a green body, wearing a five-buddha crown on her head, wearing a celestial robe, and sitting on a lotus seat. Her right foot is extended, her left foot is cross-legged, her right hand makes a wish seal (grants blessings), and her left hand holds a blue lotus, symbolizing purity and compassion.

- **Mantra and practice**: Reciting the Green Tara mantra or practicing her method is said to eliminate fear and obstacles and bring success in career, health and blessings.

- **Cultural influence**: The image of Green Tara is very common in Tibetan Buddhist thangkas, sculptures and temple murals. Her belief has also influenced the art, music and literature of Tibetan culture.

**IV. Practice and practice**

- The practice of Green Tara is simple and popular, suitable for both lay and monastic practitioners. Believers pray for her blessings to overcome difficulties in life through chanting, visualization or offering.

- In the daily life of Tibetan Buddhism, Green Tara is regarded as one of the closest deities to sentient beings. Many Tibetans regard her as a guardian deity and pray for her protection whether traveling, sick or making important decisions.

**Conclusion**

In Tibetan Buddhism, Green Tara represents the power of compassion, wisdom and quick salvation. Her origin is closely related to the compassion of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and is an important female deity in Tantric Buddhism. Her belief not only provides spiritual comfort, but also brings practical blessings and protection to practitioners. By practicing the Green Tara Dharma, believers can gain support in the secular and liberation paths, reflecting the spirit of compassion and wisdom in Tibetan Buddhism.

Green Tara (printed thangka in cloth frame)