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the vajra posture. His right hand is in the abhaya mudra;
his left rests in his lap, holding a crescent moon.
Vessantara.
A PUJA TO TARA
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WORSHIP SALUTATION
Midnight star,
Heart of compassion, Lighting up the northern sky,
For whom no thought of self With the brilliance of your love,
Could ever arise, You who are worshipped
Committed to the welfare of the world, Even by the loving gods,
You encourage your devotees To Tara I pay homage.
To express their love for you
By serving all beings. Sweet breath of all the Buddhas,
Perfuming the world
So, out of devotion to you, With the scent of your compassion,
I offer to all beings You who are worshipped
The fruits of your heart: Even by the compassionate gods,
To each individual being To Tara I pay homage.
I give without end
Cool lakes and rivers Great archer of the Sugatas,
So they may bathe in your compassion; Striking down the Hydra-heads of jealousy
Sweet food and drink With the unfailing arrows
So they may feast on your compassion; Of your sympathetic joy,
The sun, moon and stars You who are worshipped
So they may be lit by your compassion; Even by the joyful gods,
Rich breezes, full of perfume and flower scents To Tara I pay homage.
So they may breathe your compassion;
Music of birds and instruments Victory banner of the supreme Dharma,
So their minds may be filled with your compassion. Raised standard of the Victorious Ones,
Planted in the firm soil of equanimity,
You who are worshipped
Even by the equanimous gods,
To Tara I pay homage.
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GOING FOR REFUGE CONFESSION OF FAULTS
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Most of all REJOICING IN MERITS
The fears that hold me back
From giving myself to the Dharma:
Fear of commitment to the Path, O joyful Tara
Fear of change, Titans rejoice in their own conquests,
Fear of renunciation, Their one source of happiness is themselves;
Fear of generosity, You rejoice in the good deeds of all beings,
Fear of courage, So you have infinite sources of delight.
Fear of going deeper,
Fear of freedom, Fearlessly and free from envy
Fear of wisdom, I rejoice in the achievements
Fear of devoting myself to all beings. Of all those who bring
Beauty, peace and courage
These fears did not arise by themselves, To the world.
They stem from a million choices and acts
In many lives – Fearlessly and free from envy
Choosing unawareness, I rejoice in the spiritual heroes and heroines,
Choosing lack of courage, Those victorious ones
Choosing to bury my head in samsara. Who conquer self-conceit.
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ENTREATY AND SUPPLICATION DEDICATION
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Revised version: December 2006.
Website: www.vessantara.net
Email: vs@vessantara.net
http://tarashedrup.com/images/tara_side.jpg
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