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The Sadhana of Arya Tara
This sadhana is based on the instructions on the practice of Green Tara
given by Mahasiddha Subhuti Shrisinda. The practice has two parts: the
preparations and the actual practice.
The preparations
The preparations are of two types: external and internal. The external
preparations consist of cleaning the meditation room, setting up a shrine
with images of Buddha Shakyamuni and Green Tara, and setting out a beautiful
arrangement of torma offerings and other offerings. The tormas can be
honey, cakes, or any other clean, non-perishable food that is not mixed
with alcohol, meat, garlic, or onion. We can use water to represent nectar
for drinking, water for bathing the feet, and perfume. For the remaining
offerings - flowers, incense, light, and pure food - if possible we should
set out the actual substances.
As for internal preparations, we should try to improve
our compassion, bodhichitta, and correct view of emptiness through the
practice of the stages of the path, and to receive a Tantric empowerment
of Green Tara. It is possible to participate in group pujas if we have
not yet received an empowerment, but to gain deep experience of this practice
we need to receive an empowerment. The main internal preparation is to
generate and strengthen our faith in Arya Tara, regarding her as the synthesis
of all Gurus, Yidams, and Buddhas.
The actual practice
The actual practice of the instructions should be performed in conjunction
with this sadhana. Sometimes we can emphasize placement meditation and
sometimes we can emphasize reciting the mantra and prayers with faith
and devotion. When we are reciting, we should avoid any distracting thoughts
and concentrate on the meaning of the words.
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