"Holy objects make it unbelievably easy for us to create the causes of merit and to purify the obstacles to happiness, peace and realisations."

Homage to the venerable Arya Tara...

Arya Tara is called the mother of all buddhas because she represents the essence of the holy mind of all enlightened beings, the dharmakaya.

In the form of Green Tara, she removes hindrances and obstacles and helps those who rely on her to generate quickly in their minds the stages of the path to enlightenment. Her name means both star and saviour: the Sanskrit root, tar, means to "cross over". In a Buddhist context, her name means "to cross over the ocean of rebirths to enlightenment." In a previous life Tara was once a princess called Yeshe Dawa, who was very devoted to Buddhist teachings. Through the merit of making extensive offerings, she realised bodhicitta. Yeshe Dawa was advised to pray to be reborn male in order to quickly achieve enlightenment. Instead, she vowed to gain buddhahood in female form and to work for sentient beings in this way until all were enlightened. Arya Tara is depicted as a female bodhisattva, exquisitely beautiful, with a peaceful, loving expression. The Buddha Amitabha abides in her top-knot of hair, radiating light. She is seated on a lotus and moon seat with her right leg outstretched, ready to spring to the aide of those who need her help.

THE TARA PROJECT

Chandrakirti Meditation Centre's beautiful hilltop meditation hall is being transformed into a "Tara temple", with the blessing of Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche. Twenty-one exquisite statues of the Buddha Tara, currently being carefully crafted in Kathmandu, will be installed in the temple.

The first statue, which is life size and sublimely beautiful (see photo, left), has already arrived at Chandrakirti Centre. The remaining 20 statues will arrive over the next two years, as they are made.

Making images and statues of buddhas is extremely meritorious. The Tara statues will bring great benefit to all those involved in the project, to the Centre and the area as a whole, as well as everyone who sees them.

Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche Tara, mother of all Buddhas, past, present, and future; transcendent, having great compassion, swiftly accomplishing virtuous activities. Tara brings success.

YOU CAN BE PART OF THE TARA PROJECT
We need a great deal of help to make our vision manifest. There are many ways you can benefit.

Include the Tara project and other dharma activities of Chandrakirti Meditation Centre in your prayers.

Let other dharma friends know about The Tara Project.

Help roll mantras or offer other precious objects to be placed inside a statue.

Sponsor an individual statue. Your personal dedication (for the benefit of you and your family, your guru, all sentient beings ...) will be engraved on an accompanying plaque. (Each bronze and gold 0.8 metre (32-inch) high statue costs $NZD7000 to make, ship and bless.)

Become a Tara Benefactor by offering $1000 or more, or a Friend of Tara by offering $250 or more.

By offering any amount of money or assistance, you will help make this project a reality and receive all the merit of the entire undertaking.

Donations from New Zealand residents are fully tax deductible. If you can help or would like to be kept informed, please fill out one of the forms below and leave at the registration desk or send to Chandrakirti Meditation Centre. Please visit the Centre's meditation hall, stupa and gardens at Sunrise Valley Road, Upper Moutere. We're open during daylight hours, year round.

Chandrakirti Meditation Centre is a member of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a worldwide network of over 130 Buddhist centres, projects and activities. All of these are overseen by FPMT's spiritual director, Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche.