Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 1
Tara Practices
Unknown artist
48 Tara Practices
Endnotes1. A
dditional offering verse extracted from a m
ore extensive version of this practice, accord-ing to the instructions of Lam
a Zopa Rinpoche.
2. Each of the respective heartfelt requests to Tara after each of the four m
andala offeringshas been added according to instructions from
Geshe N
gawang D
rapa, Tse Chen Ling
Center, San Francisco. G
eshe Dragpa has m
entioned that this is how the practice is
traditionally done, however, this is not definitive. W
hich requesting verses are addeddepends on the chant m
aster or monastery, and m
ay also be adjusted according to theoccasion or special purposes for w
hich the puja is being performed. T
he practice ofadding a heartfelt request is an oral instruction and is not in the actual text.
3. Additional offering verse extracted from
a more extensive version of this practice, accord-
ing to the instructions of Lama Zopa R
inpoche.4. “
““
““
5. ““
““
“
ColophonC
omposed by Trijang R
inpoche of Gaden, at the request of Tsering, the son of officer
Nyem
o (a district of central Tibet), w
ho is endowed w
ith faith and a superior virtuousattitude.
Translated from the T
ibetan by Fabrizio Cham
pa Pelgye at the request of the Education
Departm
ent of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. E
dited with
standard prayers added by Ven. C
onstance Miller, E
ducation Services, September 2001.
2 Tara Practices
4 Four M
andala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 47
Dedication Prayer
Through the m
erits of these virtuous actionsM
ay I quickly attain the state of Arya Tara
And lead all living beings, w
ithout exception,Into that enlightened state.
Verse of AuspiciousnessLike a w
ish-fulfilling tree and a fortune-jeweled vase,
You are the wish-fulfilling treasure granting all desires and fulfilling all
hopes.O
conquerors’ Mother Tara and all conquerors w
ith your children,Take care of m
e and grant the auspicious signs of increasing virtue.
Author’s Dedication
Due to the virtue of these efforts, m
ay I and all migratory beings
Be cared for by the suprem
e goddess, the mother of all conquerors.
Without being discouraged, m
ay I free migratory beings as far as the lim
-its of spaceA
nd realize the sphere of the glorious goddess.
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 3
Contents
The A
bbreviated Four-Mandala R
itual of Tara Chittam
ani5
Tara Practices 3
46 Tara Practices
Dedication Prayer
Ge w
a di yi nyur du dagPhag m
a dröl ma drub gyur nä
Dro w
a chig kyang ma lü pa
De yi sa la gö par shog
Verse of AuspiciousnessPag sam
shing dang nor bu bum zang zhin
Re kong dö gu jo w
ai yi zhin terG
yäl yum dröl m
a gyäl wa sä chä kyi
Je zung ge tsän phäl wäi tra shi shog
4 Tara Practices
4Notes regarding this practice:
Altar and Gompa Set-upW
hen performing this puja, one should set up the altar w
ith the following item
s:•
a picture of Chittam
ani Tara•
3 red-colored, tear drop-shaped tormas m
ade with the 3 w
hite and 3 sweet substances
•4 m
andalas, or 4 bowls of rice representing the 4 m
andalas•
4 sets of 7 offering bowls, placed from
right to left as one faces the altar. In the foodoffering bow
ls of these sets one should place small red torm
as (cookies, biscuits, etc. arealso acceptable).
NO
TE: W
hen seating monks and nuns in the front, it is custom
ary to seat monks on the left
side of the throne (when facing the throne) and nuns on the right.
During “big pujas” (these are defined as self-initiations or long pujas and pujas w
ith extensiveofferings, etc.) one can offer a stick of incense for the lam
a or geshe to hold during the verses ofinvocation.
Ritual implementsO
ne should have dorje, bell, and inner offering, and a small bow
l of flower petals or rice.
One should have a m
andala set for the mandala offerings.
NO
TE
: Throughout the preceding text, sm
all symbols of bells
or other instruments and
hand mudras appear in the m
argins to help the practitioner know w
hen one should play these
instruments or w
hen to do certain mudras. It is hoped that these sm
all indications will be
helpful to those not yet familiar w
ith these aspects of tantric practice. Other sym
bols and theirm
eanings are:
lotus m
udra prostration m
udra
show the dorje
Practice tipsPlease note that Praises in T
wenty-one H
omages is chantable in E
nglish.
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 45
Confession of Faults in the RecitationR
ecite the hundred-syllable mantra:
OM
PAD
MA
SAT
TV
A SA
MA
YA
MA
NU
PALA
YA
/ PAD
MA
SAT
TV
AT
VE
NO
PAT
ISHT
HA
/ DR
IDH
O M
E B
HA
VA
/ SUT
OSH
YO M
E B
HAV
A /
SUPO
SHYO
ME
BH
AV
A / A
NU
RA
KT
O M
E B
HA
VA
/ SAR
VA
SIDD
HIM
ME
PRA
YA
CC
HA
/ SAR
VA
KA
RM
A SU
CH
A M
E /
CH
ITT
AM
SHR
IYA
M K
UR
U H
UM
/ HA
HA
HA
HA
HO
H /
BH
AG
AV
AN
/ SAR
VA
TA
TH
AG
AT
A / PA
DM
A M
A M
E M
UN
CH
A /
PAD
MA
BH
AV
A M
AH
A SA
MA
YA
SAT
TV
A A
H H
UM
PHA
T
And the prayers:
With all m
y actions performed here,
With w
hatever I could not findO
r was not able to do,
Please be patient.
Please also be patientW
ith the ritualsI have perform
ed incorrectlyO
r with om
issions.
If you have an image of the deity, request the deity to abide in it:
For the benefit of migratory beings,
Please abide in this image,
Granting w
ealth, highest goodness,A
nd long life free from sickness.
OM
SUPR
AT
ISHT
HA
VA
JRA
YE
SVA
HA
(toss flower petals or rice to the m
erit field)O
M firm
ly abiding vajra one SVAH
A
If you don’t have an image, request the deity to depart:
The w
isdom beings return to their natural abodes.
The com
mitm
ent beings absorb into me.
Dedicate the virtues and sing the auspicious verses in the follow
ing way.
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 5
The Abbreviated Four-Mandala
Ritual to Chittamani Taraby K
yabje Gaden Trijang R
inpoche
From the enlightened activities of all the victorious onesthe TA
M syllable m
elts into a turquoise flow.
By the sw
irls of a musical show
appears your youthful great body.W
ith respect, I pay homage to she w
ho liberates from the fears of
existence and peace.W
ith your compassion, please take care of m
e.
44 Tara Practices
Confession of Faults in the RecitationR
ecite the hundred-syllable mantra:
OM
PAD
MA
SAT
TV
A SA
MA
YA
MA
NU
PALA
YA
/ PAD
MA
SAT
TV
AT
VE
NO
PAT
ISHT
HA
/ DR
IDH
O M
E B
HA
VA
/ SUT
OSH
YO M
E B
HAV
A /
SUPO
SHYO
ME
BH
AV
A / A
NU
RA
KT
O M
E B
HA
VA
/ SAR
VA
SIDD
HIM
ME
PRA
YA
CC
HA
/ SAR
VA
KA
RM
A SU
CH
A M
E /
CH
ITT
AM
SHR
IYA
M K
UR
U H
UM
/ HA
HA
HA
HA
HO
H /
BH
AG
AV
AN
/ SAR
VA
TA
TH
AG
AT
A / PA
DM
A M
A M
E M
UN
CH
A /
PAD
MA
BH
AV
A M
AH
A SA
MA
YA
SAT
TV
A A
H H
UM
PHA
T
And the prayers:
Ma nye yong su m
a she dangG
ang yang nü pa ma chhi pa
Dir ni ja w
a gang gyi paD
e kün khye kyi zö dzä rig
Lhag pa dang ni chhä pa dangC
hho gäi yän lag nyam pa dang
Dag gi je ngä chi chhi pa
De yang zö par dzä du söl
If you have an image of the deity, request the deity to abide in it:
Dir ni ten dang lhän chig tu
Dro w
äi dön du zhug nä kyangN
ä me tshe dang w
ang chhug dangC
hhog nam leg par tsäl du söl
OM
SUPR
AT
ISHT
HA
VA
JRA
YE
SVA
HA
(toss flower petals or rice to the m
erit field)O
M firm
ly abiding vajra one SVAH
A
If you don’t have an image, request the deity to depart:
Ye she pa rang zhin gyi nä su shegD
am tshig pa rang nyi la thim
par gyur
Dedicate the virtues and sing the auspicious verses in the follow
ing way.
6 Tara Practices
Taking RefugeD
ag dang dro wa nam
khäi tha dang nyam päi sem
chän tham chä dü di
nä zung te ji si jang chhub nying po la chhi kyi bar duPäl dän la m
a dam pa nam
la kyab su chhi wo
Dzog päi sang gyä chom
dän dä nam la kyab su chhi w
oD
am päi chhö nam
la kyab su chhi wo
Phag päi ge dün nam la kyab su chhi w
o(3x or 7x)
Taking Refuge and Generating BodhichittaSang gyä chhö dang tshog kyi chhog nam
laJang chhub bar du dag ni kyab su chhiD
ag gi jin sog gyi pe di dag giD
ro la phän chhir sang gyä drub par shog(3x)
Special Generation of BodhichittaK
hyä par ma sem
chän tham chä kyi dön du nyur w
a nyur war yang dag
par dzog päi sang gyä kyi go phang rin po chhe chi nä kyang thob par ja /dei chhir du je tsün m
a phag ma dröl m
äi näl jor nyam su lang w
ar gyi wo
The Four ImmeasurablesSem
chän tham chä de w
a dang de wäi gyu dang dän par gyur chig
Sem chän tham
chä dug ngäl dang dug ngäl gyi gyu dang dräl war gyur
chigSem
chän tham chä dug ngäl m
e päi de wa dang m
i dräl war gyur chig
Sem chän tham
chä nye ring chhag dang nyi dang dräl wäi tang nyom
lanä par gyur chig
Make sure your m
ind is infused with the four im
measurable thoughts.
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 43
PrayersT
hen, joining the palms of the hands:
Venerable A
rya and your retinue,Please bless m
e with the affection
Of your non-referential com
passion,So I m
ay be able to fulfill all my w
ishes without obstacles.
Let the teachings and practice of the victorious ones in generalA
nd the doctrine of Losang in particular spread to the ten directions.Let the Sangha w
ho uphold the doctrine be harmonious
And m
ay their enlightened activities increase.
Please pacify conflicts, famine, and sickness in this country;
Increase the Dharm
a and good fortune;E
xpand the power of D
harma rulers;
And grant happiness to the central and border areas.
Please protect us from tem
porary and ultimate fears,
Such as the eight and sixteen great fears,Spirits, plagues, nightm
ares, and bad omens,
As w
ell as the sufferings of samsara, the unfortunate states, and so forth.
May life, prosperity, and m
erits increase;M
ay all negative thoughts be pacified.Please grant your blessings that realizations of the three principles of the
pathA
nd two stages m
ay quickly be completed.
From now
until the essence of enlightenment
I have no other refuge than you.B
less me and care for m
eA
s a mother does for her only child.
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 7
Taking RefugeI and all sentient beings as vast as space, from
now until w
e reach theessence of suprem
e enlightenment,
Go for refuge to the glorious pure lam
as;G
o for refuge to the perfectly enlightened victorious ones;G
o for refuge to the pure Dharm
a;G
o for refuge in the superior Sangha.(3x or 7x)
Taking Refuge and Generating BodhichittaI go for refuge until I am
enlightened.To the B
uddha, the Dharm
a, and the Supreme A
ssembly.
By m
y practice of giving and other perfections,M
ay I become a buddha to benefit all sentient beings.
(3x)
Special Generation of BodhichittaIn particular, in order to benefit all m
y mother sentient beings quickly
and more quickly, I m
ust achieve the precious state of perfect and com-
plete buddhahood; therefore, I am going to undertake the yoga of vener-
able Arya Tara.
The Four ImmeasurablesM
ay all sentient beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.M
ay all sentien
t beings be free from
suffering an
d the causes ofsuffering.
May all sentient beings be inseparable from
the happiness that is freefrom
suffering.M
ay all sentient beings abide in equanimity, free from
desire for friendsand hatred for enem
ies.
Make sure your m
ind is infused with the thought of the four im
measurable thoughts.
For notes and instructions regarding how to set up for this practice, please turn to pg. 49 of this
section.
If you have received well the initiation of Tara C
hittamani in the tradition of highest yoga
tantra, have taken her as your yidam, and w
ish to carry out in your daily practices the abbre-viated four-m
andala ritual, first arrange the offerings in accordance with the scriptures. T
hen,sit on your cushion and w
ithin the frame of an exceptional virtuous m
ind [take refuge andgenerate bodhichitta]:
42 Tara Practices
PrayersT
hen, joining the palms of the hands:
Je tsün phag ma khor dang chä
Mig m
e thug je tser gong laD
ag gi ji tar söl wäi dön
Geg m
e drub par jin gyi lob
Gyäl tän chi dang lo zang tän
Shä dang drub pä chhog chur gyäT
än dzin ge dün de dang chäT
hug thün thrin lä phel war dzö
Jong dir nä mug thrug tsö zhi
Chhö dang tra shi gong du phel
Chhö dän gyäl pöi nga thang gyä
Gyäl kham
tha wü de w
ar dzö
Gyä dang chu drug jig chhen dang
Dön rim
mi lam
tshän tä ngänK
hor wa ngän song dug ngäl sog
Nä kab thar thug jig lä kyob
Tshe päl long chö sö nam phel
Mi gei tog pa kün zhi zhing
Lam tso sum
dang rim nyi kyi
Nyam
tog nyur du thar chhin dzö
Di nä jang chhub nying pöi bar
Khyö m
in kyab nä zhän me pä
Bu chig po la m
a yi zhinJe zung jin gyi lab tu söl
8 Tara Practices
Self-GenerationR
ang nyi kä chig gi je tsün ma phag m
a dröl mäi kur zheng par gyur
Blessing the Inner OfferingC
leanse with:
OM
VA
JRA
AM
RIT
A K
UN
DA
LI HA
NA
HA
NA
HU
M PH
AT
Purify into voidness with:
OM
SVA
BH
AV
A SH
UD
DH
A SA
RV
A D
HA
RM
A SV
AB
HA
VA
SHU
DD
HO
HA
MTong pa nyi du gyurT
ong päi n
gang lä Y
AM
lä lung/ R
AM
lä me / A
H lä ye she kyi ka pa la
yang shin
g gya chhe wäi n
ang du sha n
ga dü tsi nga zhu w
a lä jung w
äiye she kyi dü tsii gya tsho chhen
por gyur
Consecrate the inner offering by reciting three tim
es:O
M A
H H
UM
(3x)
Blessing the Outer OfferingsC
leanse with: (sprinkle the offerings w
ith inner offering using the left ring finger)O
M V
AJR
A A
MR
ITA
KU
ND
ALI H
AN
A H
AN
A H
UM
PHA
T
Purify into voidness with:
OM
SVA
BH
AV
A SH
UD
DH
A SA
RV
A D
HA
RM
A SV
AB
HA
VA
SHU
DD
HO
HA
M
Tong pa nyi du gyurTong päi ngang lä K
AM
lä thö päi nö nam kyi nang du
HU
M lä chhö dzä
nam rang zhin tong nyi nam
pa chhö dzä so söi nam pa chän je lä w
ang podrug gi chö yül du zag pa m
e päi de wa khyä par chän ter w
ar gyur
OM
AR
GH
AM
AH
HU
M (greeting w
ater)O
M PA
DY
AM
AH
HU
M (foot w
ashing water)
OM
VA
JRA
PUSH
PE A
H H
UM
(flowers)
OM
VA
JRA
DH
UPE
AH
HU
M (incense)
OM
VA
JRA
ALO
KE
AH
HU
M (light)
OM
VA
JRA
GA
ND
HE
AH
HU
M (perfum
e)O
M V
AJR
A N
AIV
IDY
A A
H H
UM
(food offering)O
M V
AJR
A SH
APT
A A
H H
UM
(music) < = >
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 41
Offering the TormaC
leanse with: (sprinkle the torm
a with inner offering using the left ring finger)
OM
VA
JRA
AM
RIT
A K
UN
DA
LI HA
NA
HA
NA
HU
M PH
AT
Purify into voidness with:
OM
SVA
BH
AV
A SH
UD
DH
A SA
RV
A D
HA
RM
A SV
AB
HA
VA
SHU
DD
HO
HA
M
All becom
es empty.
From w
ithin emptiness, from
YA
M, w
ind; from R
AM
, fire; from A
H, a
transcendental wisdom
skullcup, vast and big. In it, from the m
elting ofthe five m
eats and five nectars comes a huge ocean of transcendental
wisdom
nectar.
Consecrate w
ith:O
M A
H H
UM
(3x)
Visualizing:
The gurus and hosts of deities [of the venerable A
rya Tara] partake (of thetorm
a) by drawing it up through the light straw
of their vajra tongues:
Offer it by saying three tim
es:O
M A
RY
A T
AR
E SA
PAR
IVA
RA
IDA
M B
ALIM
TA
KH
A K
HA
KH
AH
IK
HA
HI (3
X)
OfferingsM
ake offerings with:
OM
AR
YA T
AR
E SA
PAR
IVA
RA
ARG
HA
M (PA
DYA
M, PU
SHPE
, DH
UPE
,
ALO
KE
, GA
ND
HE
, NA
IVID
YA, SH
APT
A
) PRA
TIC
CH
A H
UM
SVA
HA
Present inner offerings by adding the three syllables: (offer with ring finger of left hand)
OM
AR
YA
TA
RE
SAPA
RIV
AR
A O
M A
H H
UM
PraiseD
evas and titans bow dow
nW
ith their crowns at your lotus feet.
I prostrate to the liberating mother,
Who liberates from
all misfortunes.
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 9
Self-GenerationIn one instant I arise as venerable A
rya Tara.
Blessing the Inner OfferingC
leanse with:
OM
VA
JRA
AM
RIT
A K
UN
DA
LI HA
NA
HA
NA
HU
M PH
AT
Purify into voidness with:
OM
SVA
BH
AV
A SH
UD
DH
A SA
RV
A D
HA
RM
A SV
AB
HA
VA
SHU
DD
HO
HA
MA
ll becomes em
pty.From
within em
ptiness, from YA
M, w
ind; from R
AM
, fire; from A
H, a
transcendental wisdom
skullcup, vast and big. In it, from the m
elting ofthe five m
eats and five nectars comes a huge ocean of transcendental
wisdom
nectar.
Consecrate the inner offering by reciting three tim
es:O
M A
H H
UM
(3x)
Blessing the Outer OfferingsC
leanse with: (sprinkle the offerings w
ith inner offering using the left ring finger)O
M V
AJR
A A
MR
ITA
KU
ND
ALI H
AN
A H
AN
A H
UM
PHA
T
Purify into voidness with:
OM
SVA
BH
AV
A SH
UD
DH
A SA
RV
A D
HA
RM
A SV
AB
HA
VA
SHU
DD
HO
HA
M
They all becom
e empty. From
within em
ptiness, from K
AM
, skullcup ves-sels. Inside these, from
HU
M the offering substances, w
hose nature isem
ptiness and who appear in their individual aspects. A
s the objects ofenjoym
ent of the six senses, they give rise to special uncontaminated bliss.
OM
AR
GH
AM
AH
HU
M (greeting w
ater)O
M PA
DY
AM
AH
HU
M (foot w
ashing water)
OM
VA
JRA
PUSH
PE A
H H
UM
(flowers)
OM
VA
JRA
DH
UPE
AH
HU
M (incense)
OM
VA
JRA
ALO
KE
AH
HU
M (light)
OM
VA
JRA
GA
ND
HE
AH
HU
M (perfum
e)O
M V
AJR
A N
AIV
IDY
A A
H H
UM
(food offering)O
M V
AJR
A SH
APT
A A
H H
UM
(music)
40 Tara Practices
Offering the TormaC
leanse with: (sprinkle the torm
a with inner offering using the left ring finger)
OM
VA
JRA
AM
RIT
A K
UN
DA
LI HA
NA
HA
NA
HU
M PH
AT
Purify into voidness with:
OM
SVA
BH
AV
A SH
UD
DH
A SA
RV
A D
HA
RM
A SV
AB
HA
VA
SHU
DD
HO
HA
M
Tong pa nyi du gyurTong päi ngang lä YA
M lä lung/ R
AM
lä me / A
H lä ye she kyi ka pa la yang
shing gya chhe wäi nang du sha nga dü tsi nga zhu w
a lä jung wäi ye she kyi
dü tsii gya tsho chhen por gyur
Consecrate w
ith:O
M A
H H
UM
(3x)
Visualizing:
La ma je tsün m
äi lha tshog nam kyi jag dor jei ö zer gyi bu gü drang te söl
war gyur
Offer it by saying three tim
es:O
M A
RY
A T
AR
E SA
PAR
IVA
RA
IDA
M B
ALIM
TA
KH
A K
HA
KH
AH
IK
HA
HI (3x)
OfferingsM
ake offerings with:
OM
AR
YA
TA
RE
SAPA
RIV
AR
A A
RG
HA
M (PA
DYA
M, PU
SHPE
, DH
UPE
,
ALO
KE
, GA
ND
HE
, NA
IVID
YA, SH
APT
A
) PRA
TIC
CH
A H
UM
SVA
HA
Present inner offerings by adding the three syllables: (offer with ring finger of left hand)
OM
AR
YA
TA
RE
SAPA
RIV
AR
A O
M A
H H
UM
PraiseLha dang lha m
in chö pän gyiZhab kyi pä m
a la tü dePhong pa kün lä dröl dzä m
aD
röl ma yum
la chhag tshäl tö
< = >
10 Tara Practices
Visualization of the Field of Merit
Dün gyi nam
khar seng thri pä däi dän la tsa wäi la m
a dang yer me päi
seng deng nag dröl gyi teng du jo wo je sog la m
a nam dang tha kor du
dröl ma nyer chig sog yi dam
sang gyä jang sem nyän rang ka dö dang chä
pa zhug par gyur
HomageR
ecite each stanza three times, prostrating each tim
e, twelve prostrations in all.
Sang gyä tham chä dü päi ku
Dor je dzin päi ngo w
o nyiK
ön chog sum gyi tsa w
a teLa m
a nam la chhag tshäl lo
Gön po thug je chhe dän pa
Tham
chä khyen pa tön pa poSö nam
yön tän gya tshöi zhingD
e zhin sheg la chhag tshäl lo
Dag pä dö chhag dräl w
ar gyurG
e wä ngän song lä dröl ching
Chig tu dön dam
chhog gyur paZhi gyur chhö la chhag tshäl lo
Dröl nä dröl w
äi lam yang tön
Lab pa dag la rab tu näZhing gi dam
pa yön tän dänTshog chog ge dün la chhag tshäl
Offering to the Field of Merit
Strew flow
ers on the images. W
hen you have sat down, present the follow
ing offerings in anextensive w
ay using the following verse, reciting the verse once for each offering – changing the
name of the offering being presented as appropriate. If there is no tim
e, you can present theofferings in an abbreviated w
ay by omitting recitation of the verse.
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 39
OM
I prostrate to the goddess foe destroyer, liberating lady Tara,H
omage to T
AR
E, saviouress, heroine,W
ith TU
TT
AR
E dispelling all fears,
Granting all benefits w
ith TU
RE,
To her with sound SV
AH
A, I bow
.
Prayer of the BenefitsW
hoever is endowed w
ith devotion for the goddessA
nd recites this with suprem
e faith,
Rem
embering it at daw
n upon waking and in the evenings,
Will be granted all fearlessness,
Will perfectly pacify all negativities,
And w
ill eliminate all unfortunate m
igrations.
The m
ultitudes of conquerorsW
ill quickly grant initiation:T
hus, endowed w
ith this greatness,O
ne will eventually reach the state of a buddha.
If affected by the most terrible poison,
Whether ingested, drunk, or from
a living being,Just by rem
embering
Will one be thoroughly cleansed.
If this prayer is recited two, three, or seven tim
es,It w
ill pacify all the sufferings of torments
Caused by spirits, fevers, and poisons,
And by other beings as w
ell.
If you wish for a child, you w
ill get a child;If you w
ish for wealth, you w
ill receive wealth.
All your w
ishes will be fulfilled
And all obstacles pacified.
Then transform
the torma as the inner offering. <-+-<J-+-X-<J-+-<J-J@,
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 11
Visualization of the Field of Merit
In the space before me, on a lion throne, lotus, and m
oon disk, sitsK
hadiravani Tara, who is inseparable from
my root lam
a. Above her are
venerable (Atisha) and the other lineage lam
as, and she is surrounded bythe tw
enty-one Taras and so forth, the yidams, buddhas, bodhisattvas,
hearers, self-realizers, and oath-bound protectors.
HomageR
ecite each stanza three times, prostrating each tim
e, twelve prostrations in all.
Your exalted body is the embodim
ent of all buddhas;You are in the nature of vajra holder,T
he very root of the Three R
are and Sublime [O
nes}:I prostrate to all gurus.
The savior having great com
passion,T
he founder having all understanding,T
he field of merit w
ith qualities like a vast ocean –To you, the one gone to thusness, I prostrate.
The purity that frees one from
attachment,
The virtue that frees one from
the lower realm
s,T
he one path, the sublime pure reality –
To the Dharm
a that pacifies, I prostrate.
Those w
ho are liberated and who also show
the path to liberation,T
he holy field qualified with realizations,
Who are devoted to the m
oral precepts –To you, the sublim
e comm
unity intending virtue, I prostrate.
Offering to the Field of Merit
Strew flow
ers on the images. W
hen you have sat down, present the follow
ing offerings in anextensive w
ay using the following verse, reciting the verse once for each offering – changing the
name of the offering being presented as appropriate. If there is no tim
e, you can present theofferings in an abbreviated w
ay by omitting recitation of the verse.
38 Tara Practices
OM
chom dän dä m
a lha mo dröl m
a la chhag tshäl loC
hhag tshäl dröl ma TA
RE
päl mo
TU
TT
AR
A yi jig kün sel m
aT
UR
E dön nam
tham chä ter m
aSV
AH
A yi ger chä la rab dü
Prayer of the BenefitsLha m
o la gü yang dag dän päiLo dän gang gi rab dä jö de
Sö dang tho rang lang par jä näD
rän pä mi jig tham
chä rab terD
ig pa tham chä rab tu zhi w
aN
gän dro tham chä jom
pa nyi thob
Gyäl w
a je wa thrag dün nam
kyiN
yur du wang ni kur w
ar gyur laD
i lä chhe wa nyi ni thob ching
Sang gyä go phang thar thug der dro
De yi dug ni drag po chhen po
Tän nä pa am
zhän yang dro wa
Zö pa dang ni thung pa nyi kyangD
rän pä rab tu sel wa nyi thob
Dön dang rim
dang dug gi zir wäi
Dül ngäl tshog ni nam
par pong teSem
chän zhän pa nam la yang ngo
Nyi sum
dün du ngön par jö na
Bu dö pä ni bu thob gyur zhing
Nor dö pä ni nor nam
nyi thobD
ö pa tham chä thob par gyur la
Geg nam
me ching so sor jom
gyur chig
Then transform
the torma as the inner offering:
12 Tara Practices
Gyälw
a gya tshöi chhö dzä lä drub päiZhing kam
gya tshöi chhö yön* gya tshöi tsogY
ön tän gya tshöi gyäl wa khor chä la
Dä pa gya tshöi bül lo zhe su söl 1
OM
SAR
VA
TA
TH
AG
AT
A SA
PAR
IVA
RA
AR
GH
AM
(PAD
YAM
, PUSH
PE,
DH
UPE
, ALO
KE
, GA
ND
HE
, NA
IVID
YA, SH
APT
A
) PRA
TIC
CH
A H
UM
SVA
HA
*(zhab sil, me tog, dug pö, nang säl, dri chab, zhäl zä, röl m
o)
Present the inner offering by adding the three syllables: (offer with ring finger of left hand)
OM
SAR
VA
TA
TH
AG
AT
A SA
PAR
IVA
RA
OM
AH
HU
M
The Seven LimbsG
yäl wa sä chä nam
la chhag tshäl loN
gö sham yi trül chhö pa m
a lü bülT
hog me nä sag dig tung tham
chä shagK
ye phag ge wa nam
la je yi rangK
hor wa m
a tong bar du leg zhug näD
ro la chhö kyi khor lo kor wa dang
Dag zhän ge nam
jang chhub chhen por ngo
Long Mandala Offering in 23 Heaps
Zhing kham ül w
ar gyi wo ...
OM
vajra bhumi A
H H
UM
/ wang chhen ser gyi sa zhi
OM
vajra rekhe AH
HU
M / chhi chag ri khor yug gi kor w
äi ü su / rii gyäl pori rab / shar lü phag po / lho dzam
bu ling / nub ba lang chö / jang dra mi
nyän / lü dang lü phag / nga yab dang nga yab zhän / yo dän dang lamchhog dro / dra m
i nyän dang dra mi nyän gyi da
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 37
Long Mandala Offering
Recite the long m
andala offering (see pp. 18-19) as before.
Short Mandala Offering
This ground, anointed w
ith perfume, strew
n with flow
ers,A
dorned with M
ount Meru, four continents, the sun, and the m
oon.I im
agine this as a buddha-field and offer it.M
ay all living beings enjoy this pure land.
Heartfelt Request (Optional) 2
Recite this special heartfelt requesting prayer to Tara w
hile imagining that you are clinging on
to Tara’s toes:Please bless m
yself and others to accomplish all our
Purposes in accordance with the D
harma just as w
e wish.
And to pacify im
mediately the group of hindrances
Such as sicknesses, harm by spirits and other obstacles.
IDA
M G
UR
U R
AT
NA
MA
ND
ALA
KA
M N
IRY
AT
AM
I
Taking Refuge and Generating BodhichittaTo the B
uddha, the Dharm
a, and the Supreme A
ssembly
I go for refuge until I am enlightened.
By this practice of giving and other perfections,
May I becom
e a buddha in order to benefit all sentient beings. (3x)
VisualizationFrom
her exalted body, a stream of nectar flow
sA
nd enters the crown of the beneficiary and m
yself,C
ompletely filling our bodies
And granting all blessings.
PraisePraise w
ith the Tw
enty–one Hom
ages seven times (pp. 22-27). If tim
e is short, thefollow
ing verse can be recited in place of some of the follow
ing petitions:
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 13
A host of oceans of drinking w
ater* from an ocean of realm
sC
omposed of an ocean of offering substances of the C
onquerorsI offer w
ith an ocean of faith to the Conquerors and their retinues
Who have oceans of qualities. Please accept it. 1
OM
SAR
VA
TA
TH
AG
AT
A SA
PAR
IVA
RA
AR
GH
AM
(PAD
YAM
, PUSH
PE,
DH
UPE
, ALO
KE
, GA
ND
HE
, NA
IVID
YA, SH
APT
A
) PRA
TIC
CH
A H
UM
SVA
HA
*(bathing water, flow
ers, incense, light, perfume, food, m
usic)
Present the inner offering by adding the three syllables: (offer with ring finger of left hand)
OM
SAR
VA
TA
TH
AG
AT
A SA
PAR
IVA
RA
OM
AH
HU
M
The Seven LimbsI prostrate to all the victorious ones and their children.I present clouds of every type of offering, actual and im
agined;I declare all m
y negative actions accumulated since beginningless tim
eA
nd rejoice in the merit of all holy and ordinary beings.
Please, remain until the end of cyclic existence
And turn the w
heel of Dharm
a for living beings.I dedicate m
y own m
erits and those of all others to the great enlightenment.
Long Mandala Offering in 23 Heaps
Let us offer a buddha-field ...O
M vajra ground A
H H
UM
, mighty golden ground. O
M vajra fence A
HH
UM
.O
utside it is encircled by a wall of iron m
ountains. At the center is
Meru, king of m
ountains; the eastern continent, Videha (Tall-body Land),
the southern, Jambudvipa (R
ose-apple Land), the western, G
odaniya(C
attle-gift Land), the northern, Kuru; [the eastern m
inor continents]D
eha and Videha, [the southern], C
hamara and A
para-chamara (C
howrie-
land and western C
howrie-land), [the w
estern], Satha and Uttara-m
antrin(Lands of the D
eceitful and the Skilled in Mantra), [and the northern],
Kuru and K
aurava.
36 Tara Practices
Long Mandala Offering
Recite the long m
andala offering (see pp. 18-19) as before.
Short Mandala Offering
Sa zhi pö kyi jug shing me tog tram
Ri rab ling zhi nyi dä gyän pa di
Sang gyä zhing du mig te ül w
a yiD
ro kün nam dag zhing la chö par shog
Heartfelt Request (Optional) 2
Recite this special heartfelt requesting prayer to Tara w
hile imagining that you are clinging on
to Tara’s toes:D
ag sog nam kyi chhö dang thün pe dön
Ji tar sam pa yi zhing drub pa dang
Ne dön geg sog bar dü chhö päi tsog
Nye w
ar zhi wa jin gyi lab tu söl
IDA
M G
UR
U R
AT
NA
MA
ND
ALA
KA
M N
IRY
AT
AM
I
Taking Refuge and Generating BodhichittaSang gyä chhö dang tshog kyi chhog nam
laJang chhub bar du dag ni kyab su chhiD
ag gi jin sog gyi pa di dag giD
ro la phän chhir sang gyä drub par shog(3x)
VisualizationK
u lä dü tsii chhu gyün babR
ang dang sung jäi chi wo nä
Zhug te lü kün gang wa yi
Jin lab ma lü zhug par gyur
PraisePraise w
ith the Tw
enty–one Hom
ages seven times (pp. 22-27). If tim
e is short, thefollow
ing verse can be recited in place of some of the follow
ing petitions: +%
14 Tara Practices
Shar du lang po rin po chhe / lhor kyin dag rin po chhe / nub tu ta rinpo chhe / jang du tsün m
o rin po chhe /shar lhor mag pön rin po chhe /
lho nub tu khor lo rin po chhe / nub jang du nor bu rin po chhe / jangshar du ter chen pöi bum
paN
ang gi shar du nyi ma / nub tu da w
a
Dag zhän lü ngag yi sum
long chö du sum ge tshog chä
Rin chhen m
andala zang po kün zang chhö päi tshog chä paLo yi lang nä la m
a yi dam kön chhog sum
la bülT
hug jei wang gi zhe nä dag la jin gyi lab tu söl
Short Mandala Offering
Sa zhi pö kyi jug shing me tog tram
Ri rab ling zhi nyi dä gyän pa di
Sang gyä zhing du mig te ül w
a yiD
ro kün nam dag zhing la chö par shog
Heartfelt Request (Optional) 2
Recite this special heartfelt requesting prayer to Tara w
hile imagining that you are clinging on
to Tara’s toes:Je tsün la m
a dam pa khye nam
kyiC
hhö küi kha la khyen tsei trin thrig näJe tar tsham
päi dül jäi dzin ma la
Zab gyä chhö kyi chhar pa bab tu söl
IDA
M G
UR
U R
AT
NA
MA
ND
ALA
KA
M N
IRY
AT
AM
I
Taking Refuge and Generating BodhichittaSang gyä chhö dang tshog kyi chhog nam
laJang chhub bar du dag ni kyab su chhiD
ag gi jin sog gyi pa di dag giD
ro la phän chhir sang gyä drub par shog (3x)
Prayer for the Donor **(Optional)
If you wish to request on behalf of som
eone who is sick (or in need), at the m
oment of requesting,
recite the following:
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 35
Third Round
HomageD
evas and titans bow dow
nW
ith their crowns at your lotus feet.
I prostrate to the liberating mother,
Who liberates from
all misfortunes.
(7x with prostrations)
Offering to TaraStrew
flowers on the im
ages. When you have sat dow
n, present the following offerings in an
extensive way using the follow
ing verse, reciting the verse once for each offering – changing thenam
e of the offering being presented as appropriate. If there is no time, you can present the
offerings in an abbreviated way by om
itting recitation of the verse.
From the nature, the existence-sphere pure transcendental w
isdom(D
harmakaya),
The illusory transform
ed goddess, the female offering drinking w
ater*,I offer in order to please the D
estroyer Qualified Tara’s m
ultitude ofdeities. 5
*(bathing water, flow
ers, incense, light, perfume, food, m
usic)
** The w
ords in brackets [ ] are optional.O
M A
RY
A T
AR
E [SA
PAR
IVA
RA
]** AR
GH
AM
(PAD
YAM
, PUSH
PE,
DH
UPE
, ALO
KE
, GA
ND
HE
, NA
IVID
YA, SH
APT
A
) PRA
TIC
CH
A H
UM
SVA
HA
Adding the three syllables, the inner offering: (offer w
ith ring finger of left hand)O
M A
RY
A T
AR
E [SA
PAR
IVA
RA
]** OM
AH
HU
M
The Seven LimbsT
o Arya Tara’s holy feet I prostrate.
I present clouds of every type of offering, actual and imagined;
I declare all my negative actions accum
ulated since beginningless time
And rejoice in the m
erit of all holy and ordinary beings.Please, rem
ain until the end of cyclic existenceA
nd turn the wheel of D
harma for living beings.
I dedicate my ow
n merits and those of all others to the great
enlightenment.
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 15
In the east, the the precious elephant; in the south, the precious house-keeper, in the w
est, the precious horse; in the north, the precious queen.In the southeast, the precious general; in the southw
est, the preciousw
heel; in the northwest, the precious jew
el; in the northeast, the greattreasure vase. In the east, the sun; in the w
est, the moon.
My ow
n and others’ body, speech, and mind, w
ealth and virtues, of thethree tim
es,T
his pure, precious mandala and a m
ass of Samantabhadra offerings,
I mentally take and offer to m
y guru-yidam and the T
hree PreciousO
nes,Please accept them
through compassion and bestow
your inspiration.
Short Mandala Offering
This ground, anointed w
ith perfume, strew
n with flow
ers,A
dorned with M
ount Meru, four continents, the sun and the m
oon:I im
agine this as a buddha-field and offer it.M
ay all living beings enjoy this pure land!
Heartfelt Request (Optional) 2
Recite this special heartfelt requesting prayer to Tara w
hile imagining that you are clinging on
to Tara’s toes:Please, holy jetsun guru,From
billowed clouds of com
passion and wisdom
in the sky of dharmakaya,
Make rainfalls of profound and extensive teachings of w
hatever is suitableFor the ears of sentient beings, w
ho are the objects to be subdued.
IDA
M G
UR
U R
AT
NA
MA
ND
ALA
KA
M N
IRY
AT
AM
I
Taking Refuge and Generating BodhichittaI go for refuge until I am
enlightened.To the B
uddha, the Dharm
a, and the Supreme A
ssembly.
By m
y practice of giving and other perfections,M
ay I become a buddha to benefit all sentient beings.
(3x)
Prayer for the Donor **(Optional)
If you wish to request on behalf of som
eone who is sick (or in need), at the m
oment of requesting,
recite the following:
34 Tara Practices
Third Round
HomageLha dang lha m
in chö pän gyiZhab nyi pä m
o la tü dePhong pa kün lä dröl dzä päiD
röl ma yum
la chhag tshäl lo (7x with prostrations)
Offering to TaraStrew
flowers on the im
ages. When you have sat dow
n, present the following offerings in an
extensive way using the follow
ing verse, reciting the verse once for each offering – changing thenam
e of the offering being presented as appropriate. If there is no time, you can present the
offerings in an abbreviated way by om
itting recitation of the verse.
Chö ying nam
dag ye she rang zhin läG
yü lu nang töl pag mo chö yön* m
eC
hom den drol m
ä lha sog nye chir bül 5
*(zhab sil, me tog, dug pö, nang säl, dri chab, zhäl zä, röl m
o)
** The w
ords in brackets [ ] are optional.O
M A
RY
A T
AR
E [SA
PAR
IVA
RA
]** AR
GH
AM
(PAD
YAM
, PUSH
PE,
DH
UPE
, ALO
KE
, GA
ND
HE
, NA
IVID
YA, SH
APT
A
) PRA
TIC
CH
A
HU
M SV
AH
A
Adding the three syllables, the inner offering: (offer w
ith ring finger of left hand)O
M A
RY
A T
AR
E [SA
PAR
IVA
RA
]** OM
AH
HU
M
The Seven LimbsJe tsün dröl m
äi zhab la gü chhag tshälN
gö sham yi trül chhö pa m
a lü bülT
hog me nä sag dig tung tham
chä shagK
ye phag ge wa nam
la je yi rangK
hor wa m
a tong bar du leg zhug näD
ro la chhö kyi khor lo kor wa dang
Dag zhän ge nam
jang chhub chhen por ngo
16 Tara Practices
Kyab sum
tham chä dü päi dag nyi je tsün phag m
a dröl mäi lha tshog khor
dang chä pä jin dag [insert the name here] di dü m
a yin par chhi päi jig pa lädröl / chhi m
e pa tshei rig dzin thob par jin gyi lab tu söl
Think that w
ith a smile they accept your request.
Prayer for the Desired Goal
Leg tshog kün gyi jung nä ge wäi she
Sam dang jor w
ä tshül zhin gü ten zhingG
yäl wa gye päi lam
gyi gyü jang näLa m
e jang chhub thob par dzä du söl(3x)
First Round
HomageLha dang lha m
in chö pän gyiZhab nyi pä m
o la tü dePhong pa kün lä dröl dzä päiD
röl ma yum
la chhag tshäl lo (7x with prostrations)
Offering to TaraStrew
flowers on the im
ages. When you have sat dow
n, present the following offerings in an
extensive way using the follow
ing verse, reciting the verse once for each offering – changing thenam
e of the offering being presented as appropriate. If there is no time, you can present the
offerings in an abbreviated way by om
itting recitation of the verse.
Pag me sö nam
thob lä jung wa yi
Pag me yon tän chö yön* gya tsho di
Pag me gyäl yum
dröl mäi tsog la bul
Pag me tsä tän yeshe ngö drub tsöl 3
** The w
ords in brackets [ ] are optional.O
M A
RYA
TAR
E [SAPA
RIV
AR
A]** A
RGH
AM
(PAD
YAM
, PUSH
PE, D
HU
PE,
ALO
KE
, GA
ND
HE
, NA
IVID
YA, SH
APT
A
) PRA
TIC
CH
A H
UM
SVA
HA
*(zhab sil, me tog, dug pö, nang säl, dri chab, zhäl zä, röl m
o)
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 33
Heartfelt Request (Optional) 2
Recite this special heartfelt requesting prayer to Tara w
hile imagining that you are clinging on
to Tara’s toes:M
ay my venerable lam
a’s life be firm,
His w
hite divine actions spread in the ten directions.M
ay the torch of the teachings of Losang always rem
ain,D
ispelling the darkness of all beings in the three realms.
IDA
M G
UR
U R
AT
NA
MA
ND
ALA
KA
M N
IRY
AT
AM
I
Taking Refuge and Generating BodhichittaI go for refuge until I am
enlightened.To the B
uddha, the Dharm
a, and the Supreme A
ssembly.
By m
y practice of giving and other perfections,M
ay I become a buddha to benefit all sentient beings.
(3x)
PrayerLet m
e and all those who need protection
Com
e under the supreme giving gesture of your right hand,
As w
ell as the refuge-granting gestureT
hat liberates from all fears.
PraiseT
hen recite three times the Praise in T
wenty-one H
omages (pp. 22-27).
RequestV
enerable Arya, great treasure of com
passion,G
rant your blessings to increase all favorable conditionsA
nd to clear away every obstacle
That all m
igratory beingsmay sw
iftly enter the city of eternal joy. (3x)
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 17
I request venerable Arya Tara and the assem
bly of deities, who are em
bodi-m
ents of all the objects of refuge, To grant their blessings for the benefi-ciary (insert the nam
e) to be free from the fear of untim
ely death and toachieve the state of im
mortality of a long life know
ledge-holder.
Think that w
ith a smile they accept your request.
Prayer for the Desired Goal
Please bless me to devote m
yself in thought and actionTo the virtuous teacher, the very source of all goodness.B
y training in the path that pleases all the conquerors,M
ay I reach unsurpassed enlightenment. (3x)
First Round
HomageD
evas and titans bow dow
nW
ith their crowns at your lotus feet.
I prostrate to the liberating mother,
Who liberates from
all misfortunes. (7x w
ith prostrations)
Offering to TaraStrew
flowers on the im
ages. When you have sat dow
n, present the following offerings in an
extensive way using the follow
ing verse, reciting the verse once for each offering – changing thenam
e of the offering being presented as appropriate. If there is no time, you can present the
offerings in an abbreviated way by om
itting recitation of the verse.
Arising from
the power of unfathom
able merit
Oceans of drinking w
ater* which have unfathom
able qualitiesI offer to the unfathom
able multitude of V
ictorious Mother Liberators
Please grant the attainment of unfathom
able life and transcendentalw
isdom. 3
** The w
ords in brackets [ ] are optional.O
M A
RYA
TAR
E [SAPA
RIV
AR
A]** A
RGH
AM
(PAD
YAM
, PUSH
PE, D
HU
PE,
ALO
KE
, GA
ND
HE
, NA
IVID
YA, SH
APT
A
) PRA
TIC
CH
A H
UM
SVA
HA
*(bathing water, flow
ers, incense, light, perfume, food, m
usic)
32 Tara Practices
Heartfelt Request (Optional) 2
Recite this special heartfelt requesting prayer to Tara w
hile imagining that you are clinging on
to Tara’s toes:Je tsün la m
ä ku tshe rab tän chingN
am kar thrin lä chhog chur gyä pa dang
Lo zang tän päi drön me sa sum
gyiD
ro wäi m
ün sel tag tu nä gyur chig
IDA
M G
UR
U R
AT
NA
MA
ND
ALA
KA
M N
IRY
AT
AM
I
Taking Refuge and Generating BodhichittaSang gyä chhö dang tshog kyi chhog nam
laJang chhub bar du dag ni kyab su chhiD
ag gi jin sog gyi pa di dag giD
ro la phän chhir sang gyä drub par shog(3x)
PrayerC
hhag yä chhog jin chhag gya nyiK
yab jin chhag gyar gyur wäi og
Dag dang sung ja kün tsü nä
Jig pa kün lä ug yung gyur
PraiseT
hen recite three times the Praise in T
wenty-one H
omages (pp. 22-27).
RequestT
hug jei ter chhen phag ma je tsün m
äK
ha nyam dro nam
tän dei drong khyer duD
e lag drö päi bar chha kün zhi zhingT
hün kyen ma lü phel w
ar jin gyi lob (3x)
18 Tara Practices
And, adding the three syllables, the inner offering: (offer w
ith ring finger of left hand)O
M A
RY
A T
AR
E [SA
PAR
IVA
RA
]** OM
AH
HU
M
The Seven LimbsJe tsün dröl m
äi zhab la gü chhag tshälN
gö sham yi trül chhö pa m
a lü bülT
hog me nä sag dig tung tham
chä shagK
ye phag ge wa nam
la je yi rangK
hor wa m
a tong bar du leg zhug näD
ro la chhö kyi khor lo kor wa dang
Dag zhän ge nam
jang chhub chhen por ngo
Long Mandala Offering in 23 Heaps
Zhing kham ül w
ar gyi wo ...
OM
vajra bhumi A
H H
UM
/ wang chhen ser gyi sa zhi
OM
vajra rekhe AH
HU
M / chhi chag ri khor yug gi kor w
äi ü su / rii gyälpo ri rab / shar lü phag po / lho dzam
bu ling / nub ba lang chö / jang dram
i nyän / lü dang lü phag / nga yab dang nga yab zhän / yo dän dang lamchhog dro / dra m
i nyän dang dra mi nyän gyi da
Shar du lang po rin po chhe / lhor kyin dag rin po chhe / nub tu ta rinpo chhe / jang du tsün m
o rin po chhe /shar lhor mag pön rin po chhe /
lho nub tu khor lo rin po chhe / nub jang du nor bu rin po chhe / jangshar du ter chen pöi bum
paN
ang gi shar du nyi ma / nub tu da w
a
Dag zhän lü ngag yi sum
long chö du sum ge tshog chä
Rin chhen m
andala zang po kün zang chhö päi tshog chä paLo yi lang nä la m
a yi dam kön chhog sum
la bülT
hug jei wang gi zhe nä dag la jin gyi lab tu söl
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 31
To the Buddhas abiding in the field of m
eritT
his offering of drinking water* w
hich appears but doesn’t have natureIs offered w
ith a mind understanding the offering to be the inseparability of
appearance and emptiness
Please accept it with the holy m
ind that experiences the offering asappearance and em
ptiness in the nature of great bliss. 4
*(bathing water, flow
ers, incense, light, perfume, food, m
usic)
** The w
ords in brackets [ ] are optional.O
M A
RY
A T
AR
E [SA
PAR
IVA
RA
]** AR
GH
AM
(PAD
YAM
, PUSH
PE,
DH
UPE
, ALO
KE
, GA
ND
HE
, NA
IVID
YA, SH
APT
A
) PRA
TIC
CH
A H
UM
SVA
HA
Adding the three syllables, the inner offering: (offer w
ith ring finger of left hand)O
M A
RY
A T
AR
E [SA
PAR
IVA
RA
]** OM
AH
HU
M
The Seven LimbsT
o Arya Tara’s holy feet I prostrate.
I present clouds of every type of offering, actual and imagined;
I declare all my negative actions accum
ulated since beginningless time
And rejoice in the m
erit of all holy and ordinary beings.Please, rem
ain until the end of cyclic existenceA
nd turn the wheel of D
harma for living beings.
I dedicate my ow
n merits and those of all others to the great
enlightenment.
Long Mandala Offering in 23 Heaps
Recite the long m
andala offering (see pp. 18-19) as before.
Short Mandala Offering
This ground, anointed w
ith perfume, strew
n with flow
ers,A
dorned with M
ount Meru, four continents, the sun and the m
oon:I im
agine this as a buddha-field and offer it.M
ay all living beings enjoy this pure land!
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 19
And, adding the three syllables, the inner offering: (offer w
ith ring finger of left hand)O
M A
RY
A T
AR
E [SA
PAR
IVA
RA
]** OM
AH
HU
M
The Seven LimbsT
o Arya Tara’s holy feet I prostrate.
I present clouds of every type of offering, actual and imagined;
I declare all my negative actions accum
ulated since beginningless time
And rejoice in the m
erit of all holy and ordinary beings.Please, rem
ain until the end of cyclic existenceA
nd turn the wheel of D
harma for living beings.
I dedicate my ow
n merits and those of all others to the great
enlightenment.
Long Mandala Offering in 23 Heaps
Let us offer a buddha-field ...O
M vajra ground A
H H
UM
, mighty golden ground. O
M vajra fence A
HH
UM
.O
utside it is encircled by a wall of iron m
ountains. At the center is
Meru, king of m
ountains; the eastern continent, Videha (Tall-body Land),
the southern, Jambudvipa (R
ose-apple Land), the western, G
odaniya(C
attle-gift Land), the northern, Kuru; [the eastern m
inor continents]D
eha and Videha, [the southern], C
hamara and A
para-chamara (C
howrie-
land and western C
howrie-land), [the w
estern], Satha and Uttara-m
antrin(Lands of the D
eceitful and the Skilled in Mantra), [and the northern],
Kuru and K
aurava. In the east, the the precious elephant; in the south,the precious housekeeper, in the w
est, the precious horse; in the north,the precious queen.
In the southeast, the precious general; in the southwest, the precious
wheel; in the northw
est, the precious jewel; in the northeast, the great
treasure vase. In the east, the sun; in the west, the m
oon.
My ow
n and others’ body, speech, and mind, w
ealth and virtues, of thethree tim
es,T
his pure, precious mandala and a m
ass of Samantabhadra offerings,
I mentally take and offer to m
y guru-yidam and the T
hree PreciousO
nes,Please accept them
through compassion and bestow
your inspiration.
30 Tara Practices
Sö nam zhing du shub bi sang gye la
Nang la rang zhin m
e päi chö yön* diN
ang tong yer me sem
kyi bül lag naN
ang tong de chhen tug kyi zhe su söl 4
*(zhab sil, me tog, dug pö, nang säl, dri chab, zhäl zä, röl m
o)
** The w
ords in brackets [ ] are optional.O
M A
RY
A T
AR
E [SA
PAR
IVA
RA
]** AR
GH
AM
(PAD
YAM
, PUSH
PE,
DH
UPE
, ALO
KE
, GA
ND
HE
, NA
IVID
YA, SH
APT
A
) PRA
TIC
CH
A H
UM
SVA
HA
Adding the three syllables, the inner offering: (offer w
ith ring finger of left hand)O
M A
RY
A T
AR
E [SA
PAR
IVA
RA
]** OM
AH
HU
M
The Seven LimbsJe tsün dröl m
äi zhab la gü chhag tshälN
gö sham yi trül chhö pa m
a lü bülT
hog me nä sag dig tung tham
chä shagK
ye phag ge wa nam
la je yi rangK
hor wa m
a tong bar du leg zhug näD
ro la chhö kyi khor lo kor wa dang
Dag zhän ge nam
jang chhub chhen por ngo
Long Mandala Offering in 23 Heaps
Recite the long m
andala offering (see pp. 18-19) as before
Short Mandala Offering
Sa zhi pö kyi jug shing me tog tram
Ri rab ling zhi nyi dä gyän pa di
Sang gyä zhing du mig te ül w
a yiD
ro kün nam dag zhing la chö par shog
20 Tara Practices
Short Mandala Offering
Sa zhi pö kyi jug shing me tog tram
Ri rab ling zhi nyi dä gyän pa di
Sang gyä zhing du mig te ül w
a yiD
ro kün nam dag zhing la chö par shog
Heartfelt Request (Optional) 2
Recite this special heartfelt requesting prayer to Tara w
hile imagining that you are clinging on
to Tara’s toes:G
ang ri ra wä kor w
äi zhing kham dir
Phän dang de wa m
a lü jung wäi nä
Chän rä zig w
ang tän dzin gya tsho yiZhab pä si thäi bar du tän gyur chig
IDA
M G
UR
U R
AT
NA
MA
ND
ALA
KA
M N
IRY
AT
AM
I
Taking Refuge and Generating BodhichittaSang gyä chhö dang tshog kyi chhog nam
laJang chhub bar du dag ni kyab su chhiD
ag gi jin sog gyi pa di dag giD
ro la phän chhir sang gyä drub par shog (3x)
PrayerC
hhag yä chhog jin chhag gya nyiK
yab jin chhag gyar gyur wäi og
Dag dang sung ja kün tsü nä
Jig pa kün lä ug yung gyur
Then recite tw
ice the Praise in Tw
enty-one Hom
ages on pp. 22-27.
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 29
With your head at Tara’s feet, m
ake the following request:
RequestV
enerable Arya, great treasure of com
passion,G
rant your blessings to increase all favorable conditionsA
nd to clear away every obstacle
That all m
igratory beings may sw
iftly enter the city of eternal joy. (3x)
Prayer for the Donor **(Optional)
If you wish to request on behalf of som
eone who is sick (or in need), at the m
oment of request-
ing, recite the following:
I request venerable Arya Tara and the assem
bly of deities, who are em
-bodim
ents of all the objects of refuge, To grant their blessings for thebeneficiary [insert the nam
e here] to be free from the fear of untim
ely deathand to achieve the state of im
mortality of a long life know
ledge-holder.
Think that w
ith a smile they accept your request.
Second Round
HomageD
evas and titans bow dow
nW
ith their crowns at your lotus feet.
I prostrate to the liberating mother,
Who liberates from
all misfortunes. (7x w
ith prostrations)
Offering to TaraStrew
flowers on the im
ages. When you have sat dow
n, present the following offerings in an
extensive way using the follow
ing verse, reciting the verse once for each offering – changing thenam
e of the offering being presented as appropriate. If there is no time, you can present the
offerings in an abbreviated way by om
itting recitation of the verse.
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 21
Short Mandala Offering
This ground, anointed w
ith perfume, strew
n with flow
ers,A
dorned with M
ount Meru, four continents, the sun and the m
oon:I im
agine this as a buddha-field and offer it.M
ay all living beings enjoy this pure land!
Heartfelt Request (Optional) 2
Recite this special heartfelt requesting prayer to Tara w
hile imagining that you are clinging on
to Tara’s toes:In the land encircled by snow
mountains
You are the source of all happiness and good;A
ll-powerful C
henrezig, Tenzin Gyatso,
Please remain until sam
sara ends.
IDA
M G
UR
U R
AT
NA
MA
ND
ALA
KA
M N
IRY
AT
AM
I
Taking Refuge and Generating BodhichittaI go for refuge until I am
enlightened.To the B
uddha, the Dharm
a, and the Supreme A
ssembly.
By m
y practice of giving and other perfections,M
ay I become a buddha to benefit all sentient beings.
(3x)
PrayerLet m
e and all those who need protection
Com
e under the supreme giving gesture of your right hand,
As w
ell as the refuge-granting gestureT
hat liberates from all fears.
Then recite tw
ice the Praise in Tw
enty-one Hom
ages on pp. 22-27.
28 Tara Practices
With your head at Tara’s feet, m
ake the following request:
RequestT
hug jei ter chhen phag ma je tsün m
äK
ha nyam dro nam
tän dei drong khyer duD
e lag drö päi bar chha kün zhi zhingT
hün kyen ma lü phel w
ar jin gyi lob (3x)
Prayer for the Donor **(Optional)
If you wish to request on behalf of som
eone who is sick (or in need), at the m
oment of request-
ing, recite the following:
Kyab sum
tham chä dü päi dag nyi je tsün phag m
a dröl mäi lha tshog
khor dang chä pä jin dag [insert the name here] di dü m
a yin par chhi päi jigpa lä dröl / chhi m
e pa tshei rig dzin thob par jin gyi lab tu söl
Think that w
ith a smile they accept your request.
Second Round
HomageLha dang lha m
in chö pän gyiZhab nyi pä m
o la tü dePhong pa kün lä dröl dzä päiD
röl ma yum
la chhag tshäl lo (7x with prostrations)
Offering to TaraStrew
flowers on the im
ages. When you have sat dow
n, present the following offerings in an
extensive way using the follow
ing verse, reciting the verse once for each offering – changing thenam
e of the offering being presented as appropriate. If there is no time, you can present the
offerings in an abbreviated way by om
itting recitation of the verse.
22 Tara Practices
PraiseA
fter each verse, visualize that a replica of that Tara dissolves into you and you receive all thequalities and pow
ers of that Tara to bring all the success for your works and the w
orks ofsentient beings.
OM
je tsün ma phag m
a dröl ma la chhag tshäl lo
Chhag tshäl dröl m
a nyur ma pa m
oC
hän ni kä chig log dang dra ma
Jig ten sum gön chhu kye zhäl gyi
Ge sar je w
a lä ni jung ma
Chhag tshäl tön käi da w
a kün tuG
ang wa gya ni tseg päi zhäl m
aK
ar ma tong thrag tshog pa nam
kyiR
ab tu chhe wäi ö rab bar m
a
Chhag tshäl ser ngo chhu nä kye kyi
Pä mä chhag ni nam
par gyän ma
Jin pa tsön drü ka thub zhi wa
Zö pa sam tän chö yül nyi m
a
Chhag tshäl de zhin sheg päi tsug tor
Tha yä nam
par gyäl war chö m
aM
a lü pha röl chhin pa thob päiG
yäl wäi sä kyi shin tu ten m
a
Chhag tshäl T
UT
TA
RA
HU
M yi ge
Dö dang chhog dang nam
kha gang ma
Jig ten dün po zhab kyi nän teLü pa m
e par gug par nü ma
Chhag tshäl gya jin m
e lha tshang paLung lha na tshog w
ang chhug chhö ma
Jung po ro lang dri za nam dang
Nö jin tshog kyi dün nä tö m
a
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 27
15.H
omage! H
appy, virtuous, peaceful!She w
hose field is peace, nirvana!She endow
ed with O
M and SV
AH
A,
Destroyer of the great evil!
16.H
omage! She w
ith joy surroundedTearing foes’ bodies asunder,Frees w
ith HU
M and know
ledge mantra,
Arrangem
ent of the ten letters!
17.H
omage! T
UR
E! With seed letter
Of the shape of syllable H
UM
!B
y foot stamping shakes the three w
orlds,M
eru, Mandara, and V
indhya!
18.H
omage! H
olding in her hand theD
eer-marked m
oon of deva-lake form!
With tw
icespoken TA
RA
and PHA
T,Totally dispelling poison!
19.H
omage! She w
hom gods and their kings,
And the kinnaras do honour!
Arm
oured in all joyful splendor,She dispels bad dream
s and conflicts!
20.H
omage! She w
hose two eyes bright w
ithR
adiance of sun and full moon!
With tw
ice HA
RA
and TU
TT
AR
EShe dispels severe contagion!
21.H
omage! Full of liberating
Pow’r by the set of three natures!
Destroys hosts of spirits, yakshas,
And raised corpses! Suprem
e! TU
RE!
These praises w
ith the root mantras
And prostrations thus are tw
enty-one!
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 23
PraiseA
fter each verse, visualize that a replica of that Tara dissolves into you and you receiveall the qualities and pow
ers of that Tara to bring all the success for your works and the w
orksof sentient beings.
OM
! Hom
age to the venerable Arya Tara.
1.H
omage! Tara, sw
ift, heroic!E
yes like lightning instantaneous!Sprung from
op’ning stamens of the
Lord of three world’s tear-born lotus!
2.H
omage! She w
hose face combines a
Hundred autum
n moons at fullest!
Blazing w
ith light rays resplendentA
s a thousand star collection!
3.H
omage! G
olden-blue one, lotusW
ater born, in hand adorned!G
iving, effort, calm, austerities,
Patience, meditation her sphere!
4.H
omage! C
rown of tathagatas,
Actions trium
ph without lim
it!R
elied on by conquerors’ children,H
aving reached ev’ry perfection!
5.H
omage! Filling w
ith TU
TT
AR
E,H
UM
, desire, direction, and space!Tram
pling with her feet the seven w
orlds,A
ble to draw forth all beings!
6.H
omage! W
orshipped by the all-lords,Shakra, A
gni, Brahm
a, Marut!
Honored by the hosts of spirits,
Corpse-raisers, gandharvas, yakshas!
26 Tara Practices
Chhag tshäl de m
a ge ma zhi m
aN
ya ngän dä zhi chö yül nyi ma
SVA
HA
OM
dang yang dag dän päD
ig pa chhen po jom pa nyi m
a
Chhag tshäl kün nä kor rab ga w
äiD
ra yi lü ni nam par gem
ma
Yi ge chu päi ngag ni kö päi
Rig pa H
UM
lä dröl ma nyi m
a
Chhag tshäl T
UR
E zhab ni deb pä
HU
M gi nam
päi sa bön nyi ma
Ri rab M
andhara dang big jeJig ten sum
nam yo w
a nyi ma
Chhag tshäl lha yi tsho yi nam
päiR
i dag tag chän chhag na nam m
aT
AR
A nyi jö PH
AT
kyi yi geD
ug nam m
a lü pa ni sel ma
Chhag tshäl lha yi tshog nam
gyäl poLha dang m
i am chi yi ten m
aK
ün nä go chha ga wäi ji gyi
Tsö dang mi lam
ngän pa sel ma
Chhag tshäl nyi m
a da wa gyä päi
Chän nyi po la ö rab säl m
aH
AR
A nyi jö T
UT
TAR
A yi
Shin tu drag pöi rim nä sel m
a
Chhag tshäl de nyi sum
nam kö pä
Zhi wäi thü dang yang dag dän m
aD
ön dang ro lang nö jin tshog namJom
pa TU
RE
rab chhog nyi ma
Tsa wäi ngag kyi tö pa di dang
Chhag tshäl w
a ni nyi shu tsa chig
24 Tara Practices
Chhag tshäl T
RA
D che ja dang PH
AT
kyiPha röl thrül khor rab tu jom
ma
Yä kum
yön kyang zhab kyi nän teM
e bar thrug pa shin tu bar ma
Chhag tshäl T
UR
E jig pa chhen po
Dü kyi pa w
o nam par jom
ma
Chhu kye zhäl ni thro nyer dän dzä
Dra w
o tham chä m
a lü sö ma
Chhag tshäl kön chhog sum
tshön chhag gyäiSor m
ö thug kar nam par gyän m
aM
a lü chhog kyi khor lö gyän päiR
ang gi ö kyi tshog nam thrug m
a
Chhag tshäl rab tu ga w
a ji päiU
gyän ö kyi threng wa pel m
aZhe pa rab zhä T
UT
TA
RA
yiD
ü dang jig ten wang du dzä m
a
Chhag tshäl sa zhi kyong w
äi tshog namT
ham chä gug par nü m
a nyi ma
Thro nyer yo w
äi yi ge HU
M gi
Phong pa tham chä nam
par dröl ma
Chhag tshäl da w
äi dum bü u gyän
Gyän pa tham
chä shin tu bar ma
Räl päi khur na ö pag m
e läTag par shin tu ö rab dzä m
a
Chhag tshäl käl päi tha m
äi me tar
Bar w
äi threng wäi ü na nä m
aY
ä kyang yön kum kün nä kor gäi
Dra yi pung ni nam
par jom m
a
Chhag tshäl sa zhii ngö la chhag gi
Thil gyi nün ching zhab kyi dung m
aT
hro nyer chän dzä yi ge HU
M gi
Rim
pa dün po nam ni gem
ma
Four Mandala Offerings to Chittamani Tara 25
7.H
omage! W
ith Her T
RA
D and PH
AT
soundsD
estroying foes’ magic diagram
s!H
er feet pressing, left out, right in,B
lazing in a raging fire-blaze!
8.H
omage! T
UR
E, very dreadful!D
estroyer of Mara’s cham
pion(s)!She w
ith frowning lotus visage
Who is slayer of all enem
ies!
9.H
omage! A
t the heart her fingers,A
dorn her with T
hree Jewel m
udra!Light-ray m
asses all excited!A
ll directions’ wheels adorn her!
10.H
omage! She so joyous, radiant,
Crow
n emitting garlands of light!
Mirthful, laughing w
ith TU
TTA
RE,
Subjugating maras, devas!
11.H
omage! She able to sum
mon
All earth-guardians’ assem
bly!Shaking, frow
ning, with her H
UM
signSaving from
every misfortune!
12.H
omage! C
rown adorned w
ith crescentM
oon, all ornaments m
ost shining!A
mitabha in her hair-knot
Sending out much light eternal!
13.H
omage! She ’m
id wreath ablaze like
Eon-ending fire abiding!
Right stretched, left bent, joy surrounds you
Troops of enemies destroying!
14.H
omage! She w
ho strikes the ground with
Her palm
, and with her foot beats it!
Scowling, w
ith the letter HU
M the
Seven levels she does conquer!